A dinner table in China will have a very English flavour tomorrow thanks to James Wood’s determination to stave off Christmas Day homesickness.

Despite being more than 5,000 miles away, the 21-year-old, from Gilstead, will be tucking into his mum’s Christmas pud, chocolate Santas, crisps, custard powder and, if they arrive in time, half a dozen mince pies.

Angela Wood spent £40 on mailing the goodies to her son whom she has not seen for two years.

James, a former pupil of Bingley Grammar School, is studying Mandarin Chinese at Sichuan University in Chengdu, China. Tomorrow will be his second Christmas Day away from home and this year he is to enjoy his Christmas dinner at an English restaurant with his girlfriend, Mao Mao.

“I’ll be thinking of people at home and wishing them Merry Christmas in Mandarin Chinese – it’s pronounced ‘sheng dan kuai le’.”

Mrs Wood, 46, a sixth form administrator at University Academy, Keighley, said: “I miss him a lot, but it’s for the best. There are no prospects here for young people – he should have a fantastic career.

“I know I’ll just scream with happiness when he gets off the plane – that’s what I did last time.”