SCORES of Christmas parcels have been delivered to Haydon Wick pensioners facing the prospect of a lonely festive season.

More than 130 bags backed with food and Christmas treats were taken to homes by parish council volunteers and members of a Haydon Wick church congregation.

The parish has been delivering the Christmas hampers for three decades, giving them to parishioners aged over-70 and who live on their own.

Coun Sarah McDermott, vice-chairman of Haydon Wick Parish Council, said: “It’s about being part of the community, engaging with people – particularly at Christmas why somebody might be on their own.”

The bags were packed with non-perishable foods like tinned soup. But Ms McDermott said they had also included Christmas treats in the hampers, with each boasting a plum pudding and tinned cream.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God, which meets at the parish council offices, had packed its own food parcels into the council’s bag of festive treats.