NEIGHBOURS who staged a pageant to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee are in with a chance of meeting a member of the Royal Family after being shortlisted for an award.

Residents of Catchgate and Annfield Plain, in County Durham, have been named on the 35-strong shortlist for this year’s Big Lunch Community Awards.

Five winners from around the UK will eventually be invited to attend a private ceremony at Clarence House, in London, to receive their award from The Duchess of Cornwall on April 23.

The Lottery-funded awards scheme encourages neighbours to get together on one day of the year, often over lunch, to improve community spirit.

The Catchgate and Annfield Plain group took part in last June’s event with a Big Jubilee Lunch event. They then went on to stage several schemes to improve the area including flower planting, fence painting and a series of litter-picking events.

Donna Walker, one of the local organisers who is from social landlord Derwentside Homes, said: "When we started planning our first Big Lunch event last year, we were hoping that it would have a lasting and positive effect on community sprit but we didn’t realise how much difference it would make.

"The children had a fabulous time on the day and we had a great time organising our Big Lunch event so it’s wonderful that all our hard work has been recognised in this way."

Also among the shortlisted nominees is Preston Village Allotments, on North Tyneside, which organised allotment garden tours to mark the Jubilee.