For some, the festive season can be a sad and cheerless time of year.

But a group of selfless Park Wood residents are making sure no one spends it alone, by putting on a free Christmas Day for the community.

The group, who play bingo together, want to make December 25 one to remember by holding an event at Fusion Café in Cobb Way.

The afternoon will consist of welcome drinks followed by a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, optional bingo, then tea, coffee, mince pies and a sing-song.

There will also be a visit from Santa and a present for everyone who goes along.

It will all be offered completely free, thanks to support and a £530 grant from county councillor Gary Cooke and a team of six volunteers working on the day, including a chef and servers.

Community champion Del Doyle applied for the funding.

The 58-year-old, from Somner Walk, said: “I run the bingo and we were talking about how the venue would be great for Christmas if you had a large family.

“Then someone said, ‘wouldn’t it be great to have a family?’

“That really stuck with a few of us and the idea snowballed from there.

“This is the 21st century and people are still sitting at home on Christmas Day alone, whether it be elderly people, those who are disabled or disaffected, or those who have lost loved ones. That’s wrong, so we want to make this year one to remember.”

The party starts at 1pm. Anyone wishing to book a space should contact Mr Doyle on 07833 754013 or community worker Aimee Bartlett at Fusion on 01622 691177.

Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.