AN OLD-FASHIONED gala day brought neighbours together on a Prestonpans street.

Residents of the town’s North Bank Road decided to put the coronavirus pandemic to one side, with a specially social distanced event last month.

Kerry McFarlane was among those organising the event and was pleased to say that it proved a great success, with nearly £350 raised to go towards improving the street.

A bake sale was held, along with a raffle and tombola, while old favourites such as hook the duck and tin can alley also took place.

Kerry thanked Lynn Manders, Jean, Vicky, Emma Jane and Laura Steele, as well as Donna Bogie, Scott Durie and Christopher Leishman for helping bring the event together.

She was pleased to say residents got firmly behind the idea, with each house donating £10, and money going towards hiring a bouncy castle, as well as putting on a barbecue.

She said: “We are very community spirited.”

The gala marked the latest community event held in the street, with neighbours coming together during the coronavirus lockdown.

Kerry, who has lived on the street for about 15 years, said: “Since the coronavirus, we have got together every Thursday and started playing bingo.

“We have a lot of pensioners in the middle of the square and obviously a lot of them were not allowed out because of health conditions.

“They would sit at their front doors and we would take a bingo book and make sure they could hear us.”

The funds raised from last month’s gala day will go towards the continued improvement of a community garden.

Residents have already cut the grass and bought their own plants, with plans now to buy special stones and a picnic bench for the area.

Hanging baskets and bedding plants are also planned for the site.