A BANGLADESHI breakfast banquet was served up by the Bishop of Colchester to help launch Christian Aid week.

The Rt Rev Roger Morris cooked up a storm for a group of long-serving volunteers as the charity prepares for its annual fundraising week which kicks off on Monday.

The cuisine was chosen to highlight the work Christian Aid does with poor communities in Bangladesh and included dhal, mixed vegetables and a variety of breads.

This year Christian Aid is holding a scheme called Big Brekkie and hope people will dish up fundraising meals next week to kick start the day.

Mr Morris served the meal at his home in Fitzwalter Road, Lexden, and said the food went down well with everyone.

He said: "Christian Aid week unites over 20,000 churches every year to achieve incredible things to support our global neighbours in need and this is a great opportunity for the people of Essex to do their bit.

"There are a number of people in Colchester with roots in Bangladesh and, as well as some of them giving me helpful advice on what to cook and how to cook it, it has also reminded me just how interconnected we are as a global community.

"Bangladesh is ranked as the number one nation that will be most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change over the coming decades.

"Global warming plays a significant part in our sisters and brothers in Bangladesh experiencing flooding, tropical cyclones, storm surges, salt intrusion and extreme temperatures.

"We may just be having breakfast, but I hope we can also highlight the plight of the people in Bangladesh and also do something to improve their situation."