MORE than 100 people from nine different faiths joined together to enjoy a picnic in the Worcestershire countryside.

People gathered together in the sunshine at Holland House Retreat Centre, in Cropthorne, near Pershore, on Sunday for a special event organised by the venue and the Worcestershire Interfaith Forum.

Visitors of all ages enjoyed a vegan buffet and English cream tea along with traditional music from the faiths present.

The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Patricia Bradbury and High Sheriff of Worcestershire, Sir Nicholas Lechmere, both attended.

Warden of Holland House, Ian Spencer, said: “Our hope was to create an opportunity for people of faith to sit with each other and meet together in a very social way.

"It was also important for us to show that people of faith respect each other’s tradition and that we get on.”

Haris Saleem, president of the Worcester Muslim Welfare Association, said: “It’s really important for the different communities in Worcester to get together and understand one another better. If we have better understanding, I believe we become better citizens.”

Patricia Bradbury, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire added: “Events that bring different faith communities together are hugely important in our multi-cultural world. We can celebrate our differences as well as the things we share.”

Faiths represented at the picnic were Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Quaker, Unitarian and Muslim. Alongside the food and music there was also a bouncy castle and games for the children to enjoy.