Care home residents got out their mixing bowls and wooden spoons for a festive stir-up.

Residents at the Colne View care home in Colchester Road, Halstead, joined in on the traditional day for making Christmas puddings.

Great British Bake Off finalist Brendan Lynch created a Christmas pudding recipe especially for the home while head chef Dan Rotariu took charge of the session.

Everyone had a chance to stir the ingredients including mixed peel, raisins and glace cherries.

Stir-up Sunday takes place on the last Sunday before Advent and is traditionally the day when families and friends gather together to stir-up their Christmas pudding and make a wish.

Omar Taylor, home manager at Colne View, said: “Reminiscence activities such as baking are so important for older people, especially for those living with dementia, as the familiar scents and tastes can evoke happy memories from the past.

“We always take the time to celebrate special days and we like to ensure all residents feel at home by keeping to any traditions they may have.”