RESIDENTS can now register to attend the next meeting of Colchester Soup.

The Colchester event is inspired by the work of community leaders in Detroit, who created the 'soup' events in 2010 when the city was seeing the vast effects of the economic downturn.

It sees participants come together to hear a 'pitch' from three community-driven groups or individuals on what they would do with the suggested £5 donations from each visitor.

The audience then vote, anonymously, on which group or individual the money should go to.

The next meeting is planned for Friday, February 10 between 6.30pm and 9pm at St Martin's Church, in West Stockwell Street.

Anyone who would like to pitch to the audience should register at colchestersoup.co.uk.

To register to attend the event as a voter, search eventbrite.com for 'Colchester town soup'.