For the past seven years Caroline Heward has spent Christmas at work.

The mother-of-two is a captain in the Salvation Army and, after her two young daughters have opened their presents, she leaves her home to help people in the community to have a happy Christmas.

“My daughters spend the day with relatives or friends, while I work at the centre in Holme Wood she says. “We open up the building and provide a day for people who, for whatever reason, cannot enjoy Christmas at home.”

Those who come along to enjoy the festivities include elderly people whose partners have died, people who have lost touch with their families, and families on a low income.

“We have games and quizzes, then we serve a three-course Christmas dinner which everyone enjoys,” Caroline adds, “There is a visit from Santa and entertainment in the afternoon, and people go home about 3pm with a packed tea. It is a day for people who would otherwise find themselves on their own or or find Christmas difficult for one reason or another.”

Caroline is one of thousands of people across West Yorkshire who work on Christmas Day.

“I have always worked on Christmas Day. My role is to host the day and we have volunteers who give up their time to come along to cook. Some people have helped for years.

“My daughters, aged six and three, sometimes come along to spend the day with us. I really enjoy it – it is a nice feeling that you have given people a good Christmas. There is a lovely, relaxed, festive atmosphere. It is very rewarding, as people are always very appreciative of what we do.”

More people than ever are having to work on Christmas Day, a study carried out last year by the Trades Union Congress revealed. In the eight years up to December 2012, the numbers rose by 78 per cent to more than 172,000 across the UK. Gone are the days when every shop was shut and the parish church was jammed with worshippers, as more staff are asked to forego their festive break.

Mick Smith, senior operations response officer, has worked for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for 29 years and is currently based at the headquarters in Birkenshaw.

He said: “Working at Christmas is always difficult, especially when you have young children who you must leave at home with other relatives or friends on the big day.

“However, being part of the emergency services ‘family’ too, we acknowledge that it’s never going to be a nine-to-five job. We generally designate a special day at a different time to celebrate with loved ones. When we do work through the festive period there is generally a real camaraderie among us as we are in the same position.

“It sounds a cliche but you get into this job to help the public and that’s a rolling 24-7 devotion.”

Chris Horner, sous chef at the Guide Post Hotel in Low Moor, has worked on Christmas Day for the past eight years. “It isn’t too stressful, and in some ways it is easier,” he says. “We have two sittings so we serve everyone in the dining room at the same time, whereas normally people are coming in throughout lunchtime.”

The 28-year-old, who lives in Brighouse, admits he would rather be at home with his family, but he enjoys the day. “Everyone is happy, it is a good atmosphere, and diners are very appreciative.”

Chris eats his Christmas meal after work. “My family waits for me so we all enjoy it together,” he says. “I don’t start work until about 10am, so I have time to open my presents before I set off.”

Akhtar Hussain, 40, from Keighley, works as a health care support worker at Bradford’s Lynfield Mount Hospital. For religious reasons, he does not celebrate Christmas, but throws himself into the festive spirit, putting smiles on the faces of the six people he looks after.

“Last year I dressed up as Father Christmas and went round saying ‘Ho,ho,ho!’. Everyone was smiling. We do the utmost to give everyone a good day and bring a festive atmosphere. It gives me a tremendous feeling to see people’s happy faces.”

The day begins with a Christmas breakfast. “We wear festive hats, and pull crackers. It is very Christmassy,” says Akhtar.

Activities follow, which go on longer than usual to mark the occasion. “One man loves to play cricket indoors so we find a suitable place to do that, and some enjoy art and craft.

“We play DVDs and watch TV, including the Queen’s speech,” he adds.

Not celebrating Christmas means he does not feel he is missing out by being at work. “It is lovely to be here to see people reacting to the day. At first some people don’t fully understand why the day is different, but they soon start enjoying it and smiling, which I love to see. It is nice to go home and say, ‘That was a really good day.’”