An early Christmas dinner was enjoyed by 60 senior citizens of Helston when they joined together.

It was a festive version of the Monday lunch given weekly by Helston Age Concern, in the Wesley Hall bellow the Methodist church.

Special guests included the town’s Methodist minister the Rev Danny Reed and the group’s president Mike Thomas, Helston mayor, with his wife Briege.

They all sat down to mince pies and a hot drink on arrival, before enjoying a session of carol singing.

This was followed by the main event, of a turkey dinner cooked by Marie Levy and helpers, with either trifle or Christmas pudding and cream for dessert.

Father Christmas gave a jolly ending to the event by delivering a present for everyone.

During the course of the lunch, chairman Nick Martin presented two cheques to the treasurer, which had been received from anonymous benefactors, amounting to £200.

Mr Martin said the lunch was well received, with everyone appearing to enjoy it, and they all left smiling.

He added: “The singing was fantastic – the elderly didn’t even have to look at the hymn sheets, they knew all the words.”

He thanked all the volunteers for their work over the year, serving the weekly lunches and driving pensioners to and from the hall.

All the town’s churches contribute volunteers, with two of the main drivers come from the Church of Latter Day Saints and the serving ladies mainly coming from the Light and Life Church.