THOUSANDS converged on Sefton Park’s historic Palm House for the biggest and best Black History Month Cultural Food Feast to date.

Now in its fifth year, one of the highlights of the city’s Black History Month had attracted more than 3,600 visitors by the end of yesterday.

Basking in the sunshine, visitors were entertained by local talent and international stars, including Yolanda Brown, a jazz nominee for this year’s MOBO awards.

Visitors tasted some of the free food on offer provided by members of the African, Caribbean and Indian communities, including fried fish, curry, swordfish, rice and peas and cakes made by students at Liverpool Community College.

The feast, sponsored by Liverpool City Council, Merseyside police and Riverside Housing, also included entertainment from the young performers of One Voice and Igbo women's choir. Michelle Charters, chair of the Merseyside Black History Month Group (MBHMG), said: “The black community in Merseyside is one of the oldest in the country, yet it is not mainstream.

“We love having the event in the Palm House, combining one of the city’s Victorian venues with reggae, jazz and dancers. Black History Month is about breaking down barriers and everyone coming together to learn about black history and enjoy music and food.

“The group is about creating a legacy and inspiring young people. We want them to carry on and maybe in the future we can arrange more than just a month of events.”