Thousands of neighbours could gather in the open air to eat, drink and celebrate their communities under a new proposal to boost civic pride.

Brighton and Hove City Council is exploring the possibility of signing up to European Neighbours' Day, an annual series of street parties that last year involved 4.5 million people in 16 countries.

The parties would be similar to those seen across the UK during the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002 but, rather than celebrating monarchy, the parties would celebrate community.

The first European Neighbours' Day in 1999 took place in a single district of Paris. Since then it has mushroomed and last year, hundreds of cities from Athens to Dublin were involved in organising parties.

So far, Birmingham and Manchester are the only British cities that have pledged to take part in this year's event on May 30. Now the city council's policy and resources committee has agreed to investigate the cost.

Green Party councillor Bill Randall, who made the proposal, said parties would create "more friendliness".

He said: "It would be good for social cohesion and neighbourhoods."

European Neighbours' Day is co-ordinated by the European Federation of Local Solidarity.

It invites residents to make "a simple gesture" at the same time: "To invite your neighbours to share a nice time around a buffet or a lunch favours social cohesion and creates new solidarities."

Lib Dem councillor Paul Elgood said: "Anything that brings neighbourhoods together is very welcome." Coun Elgood pointed to the annual Brunswick Festival in Hove as an example of how well-organised celebrations could unite communities.

Conservative councillor Brian Oxley said the authority had to be careful how it spent its money when front-line services were in need of cash.

The city council is the first authority in Sussex to discuss taking part.

Councillors will discuss the findings on February 8.