Thousands of people came together to celebrate Whit Sunday – or Pentecost – in the heart of Ipswich.

And they gave a huge boost to a charity which provides food parcels for those in need during the recession.

Organisers estimate that 3,000 people gathered in the Cornhill yesterday, where their celebrations were led by a 70-strong gospel choir.

They were asked to bring tins of food for the FIND (Families in Need) foodbank – and by the end of the service 1,500 cans of vegetables, meat, pies, and other food had been left. John Cobbold, one of the organisers of the event, said: “Pentecost is seen by Christians as the birth of the church, and this was a wonderful birthday party which really has done good for the community.”