AROUND 100 people attended the first ‘Tea and Meet’ session designed to combat loneliness and isolation.

The initiative was launched to encourage people to come together and forge stronger community links and was a response to the shocking news that a nurse’s body had lain undiscovered in her Muscliff home for seven years.

The first free get-together was held at the Savoy Hotel in Bournemouth’s West Cliff.

It was organised by the West Cliff residents’ association, Neighbourhood Watch, the Rotary and St Michael’s School.

Young pupils from the school served tea and cakes at the event, which was attended by Bournemouth council leader John Beesley and Mayor Chris Mayne.

There were also representatives from the police present and speeches were made by Cllr Mayne, Cllr Beesley and members of the Rotary Club.

Rev Chris Colledge, of St Ambrose Church, said the turnout had far exceeded expectations and was delighted the project got off to such a successful start.

“Everyone had a most wonderful and memorable afternoon,” he added.

“There are a lot of isolated people in our community who we may not even be aware of. This combined initiative is intended to provide the infrastructure to enable people to meet others with similar interests.

“We are delighted with the success of the launch but this will hopefully just be a first step to make our community an even better place.”

Rev Colledge was inspired to call the meeting after the body of 58-year-old children’s nurse Anne Leitrim was discovered in her Muscliffe home after lying there for seven years in June.