HEXHAM Community Centre has announced its plans to bring Christmas Day to the lonely and isolated despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus crisis.

Normally, the team at the centre offers people who would otherwise be home alone a full day of celebration and a proper Christmas dinner, entertaining around 40 people.

However, manager Clare Mwande said it would be irresponsible to put 40 vulnerable people in a room even if restrictions were eased.

She explained what volunteers will be doing instead.

Clare said: "We have put together a group of volunteers who will go out to people and meet them in their gardens or on the front door step for a bit of company and a natter on Christmas day.

"They will take the recipient a hot mulled wine, a stocking of goodies and a Christmas Cracker to pull.

"After they have had a good chat and a bit of banter our volunteers will return to the Community Centre and collect the recipient’s hot turkey dinner.

"We will try to get carol singers around to the recipients too, in the morning for a bit of festive cheer."

Anyone who would like the volunteers to visit can call 01434 602707 or email hexcomcentre@gmail.com by December 11. If any small groups of carol singers can spare some time between 10am and 12pm on Christmas morning, they can use the same details to get in touch.