A care home is inviting people to join its multi-cultural open afternoon later this month.

Lilac Lodge, in Oulton Broad, will hold a multi-cultural celebration event from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday, January 27.

Diana Homes, head chef at the Kingsley Healthcare-run care home in Gorleston Road, will be helped by colleagues to prepare a cosmopolitan buffet reflecting the wide ranging nationalities of staff as well regional specialities from across the UK.

Home manager Zena Stotter said: 'We are blessed to have such a wonderful mix of staff from many countries and different parts of Britain and wanted to show off all their culinary talents at our open afternoon.'

Helping Mrs Homes prepare a range of tempting snacks will be Polish deputy manager Hanna Djedda, who loves sweet things and is renowned for her traditional Polish cake, Indian support worker Farjana Akhter, who will be making samosas, Polish senior support worker Eliza Strozynska and support worker Natalija Peake, from Lithuania.

Lilac Lodge resident Bridget Magner, who is of Irish descent but lived in South Africa, will also be giving thought to the menu for the home's multi-cultural celebration.

As well as sampling the food, visitors will be able to tour the home and chat to activities co-ordinator Claire Garrod about how she brings fun to residents' daily lives.

Mrs Stotter, who will be on hand to answer any questions concerning care needs for a loved one, said: 'Residents have been making flags of different countries to decorate the home.

'As well as preparing a wide range of food, we will also be giving visitors the chance to taste wines from different countries. Some of our staff will be dressing up in national costume for the day.'

Mrs Homes, who joined Lilac Lodge as head chef last year, has already built an enviable reputation for delicious cakes she prepares for residents' birthdays and special events throughout the year.

'Food is definitely the way to the heart of people in a care home,' she said.