Around 60 Teignmouth residents, who might otherwise have been alone on Christmas Day, were treated to a festive lunch at the Alice Cross Community Centre thanks to fundraisers and volunteers.

Guests enjoyed a two-course Christmas dinner, entertainment and gifts.

The annual event was made possible thanks to fundraising activity, meal sponsorships and a £1,000 donation from the John Lewis Partnership Exeter.

Volunteers drove, cooked, served, performed, welcomed guests, stayed behind to clear away and even helped cover volunteer chef Dave Matthews after he was called away to assist Teignmouth RNLI at the tragic incident in Budleigh Salterton.

Alice Cross general manager Peta Howell thanked all the supporters and volunteers involved ‘for giving their time, love and joy’ to put on the Christmas Day lunch. ‘There was laughter, warmth, connection, and so much love shared,’ she added.