MORE than a hundred people who would otherwise spend Christmas alone sat down to a three course meal cooked by a team of Old Town volunteers.

The Christmas Day meal was the third organised by the Christ Church Community Centre.

Chris Smith, centre manager, said: “The first year we did it, somebody came up to me and said, ‘I’m so happy I’m not on my own.’”

Joy Blacklock, 82, from Old Town, has come to every one of the Christmas lunches run by the centre. Her husband died almost a decade ago.

“If I did not come here I would be on my own” she said. “You’ve got company. You can’t talk to the radio or the television.”

Around 50 volunteers helped set up the day, cook the meal and bring people to and from the centre.

Rev Simon Stevenette, vicar of Christ Church, said: “We did some research and the biggest issue in Old Town was loneliness. We try through the church and the centre is support people who are lonely.

“It’s a team effort and it brings Christmas alive for people. This is our small effort to provide friendship and support to those who are lonely this Christmas.”