Organisations hosting Christmas dinners are being encouraged to set an extra table to cater for lonely pensioners.

Care homes, churches and groups are being urged to join in the Christmas Day hospitality scheme. The aim is to avoid people who live on their own feeling even more isolated than normal during the seasonal period.

The project is the brainchild of Julie Lintern, older people’s service development manager with Keighley and Ilkley Voluntary and Community Action. She said in the past care homes and church halls had opened their doors on Christmas Day.

She said: “I am trying to promote this as an idea to those who may not have thought about inviting people in, but could easily set another table.”

Anyone able to help is asked to contact Julie by e-mailing julie@keighley.org.uk.