An ice cream lady famous for her custom made desserts is giving up her Christmas Day to cheer up anybody who may be spending the festivities alone.

After hearing the government's announcement warning against households mixing, Gemma Everest who runs Everest Ices - an ice cream van that delivers to Snodland and Maidstone - decided to offer free puddings and Christmas dinners to those unable to see their families.

The 38-year-old who runs the van with her 17-year-old son Bradley said: "I was so upset my mum and dad couldn't come over but then I thought, I've got my two kids, my parents have each other, and that's a lot more than some people have.

"I just can't bear the thought of people sitting by themselves so I wanted to do something that would lift their spirits.

"Because my parents were supposed to be coming, I've got this monster Turkey and there's no way we can eat it between the three of us so I thought I would plate it up and give some people dinners alongside their puddings.

"Everyone should have somebody say Merry Christmas to them and this is my way of doing that."

Within hours of announcing the service, Miss Everest was fully booked with orders taking her as far out as Ashford.

She added: "I had planned to just be out for two hours but I extended it to five and I won't stop until everyone has been ticked off my list."

She will spend the morning with her children at her home in Halling before heading out for the deliveries, stopping at care homes and homeless shelters along the way.

People can choose from up to 250 different varieties of desserts including some new to the menu for the festive season, such as gingerbread sundaes and churros.

All the deliveries are contactless and orders will be placed on doorsteps with personal messages from loved ones.

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