IT is one of the biggest Polish traditions at Easter time - the blessing of food.

Hundreds of people from Southampton's Polish community attended St Edmund's Catholic Church bringing decorated baskets containing samples of tradition food to be blessed.

The typical "Swieconka" basket contains hard-boiled shelled and painted eggs, bread, salt, ham, smoked sausage, horseradish, butter and cake.

All of the food that was brought to the church on Saturday was decorated with spring flowers, colourful ribbons and an Easter lamb moulded from sugar or chocolate.

Each of the food items has a symbolic meaning. For example, ham, sausage, butter and cake represent abundance and prosperity.

After the blessing, the food remained in the basket until the ceremonial breakfast which Polish families celebrated on Easter Sunday yesterday