A Christmas recipe from Great British Bake Off’s Laura Adlington and motivational messages are on offer as part of a festive countdown.

ellenor hospice, which helps patients in Gravesham, Dartford, Swanley and Bexley, has launched its own digital advent calendar.

For 25 days, the free digital calendar will offer daily special messages and pictures - all themed around kindness - and showing how the public's support makes a difference to families under the hospice's care.

It is being launched by ITV newsreader Charlotte Hawkins, who is a patron of the hospice.

It will include a recipe from Bake Off 2020 finalist Laura Adlington, who is from Gravesend, pictures of Suzi, the hospice's pet therapy dog, messages from the charity's service teams, a mocktail recipe and more.

Georgina Lestini, head of marketing and communications said: “This Christmas we wanted to do something different and, thanks to the help of our wonderful ellenor team and local community, we hope we have captured some great thanks yous, recipes and warm family messages.

"We are your local hospice, and we thank you.Our patients and families are at the heart of what we do.

"We hope our Kindness Virtual Advent Calendar will lift your spirits and offer you a heart-warming insight into how your support is helping local people and their families make the most of the time they have together.

"And to help make that happen, our patron Charlotte Hawkins will open the calendar with her own special message to you."

“From everyone at ellenor we would like to wish you a happy and peaceful New Year.”

Make sure make sure you are following @ellenorcharity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for further information.