A VILLAGE care home is inviting lonely older people in the community to join staff and residents for Christmas Day.

Blackbrook House, in Gun Hill, Dedham, has organised a fun day of Christmas cheer for older people living alone in the village in a bid to help tackle isolation and loneliness during the festive season.

The guests will join everyone at Blackbrook House for Christmas lunch, take part in the festive activities, including games and sing-alongs, and then be taken home when they are ready, all free of charge.

Paulina Eagle, manager, said: “Christmas Day can be an incredibly lonely time if you live on your own.

"We wanted to extend the warmth and companionship of our lovely home to anyone facing the day alone.

“We go all out at Christmas for our residents, because some of them don’t have anyone else and we are seen as their family, so we’re happy to invite some people in to join us for Christmas Day.

“We’ll pick them up in a car on the morning and they can spend all day with us and we’ll then organise for them to get taken home.”

If you or someone you know would like to join Blackbrook House residents on Christmas Day call Manager Paulina Eagle on 01206321150.

Places are limited and will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis.