AFRICANS living in Bolton held their first meeting over the weekend.

More than 200 people attended the inaugral gathering of the African Community Association with the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Prentice Howarth, among the guests.

The committee hopes to bring together different cultures in Bolton, and visitors to the event, at Victoria Hall, enjoyed an assortment of foods and an exhibition of African artefacts.

There was also a display of drumming from the association's chairman Nat Biney.

Mr Biney, originally from Ghana, has helped to establish the group to help to foster community spirit for Africans living in Bolton.

He said: "The event was excellent. We told people of our aims and objectives to share our cultures within communities in Bolton.

"There is a lot of support for the association, and we hope to make the group a unique organisation in the town.

"We are thinking toward the future and hope to have our own centre in Bolton, where we can help to promote different cultures and togetherness.

"We would like to thank everyone involved for coming along."

Anybody interested in joining can contact Mr Biney on 0793 9967009 or Publicity and Social Officer Sam Quaye on 01204 841630.