A Blackburn community centre is gearing up for its annual dinner for local residents who may be spending Christmas day alone.

The Ivy Community Centre, off Bolton Road, invites people from the town and local neighbourhoods to attend their annual Christmas dinner each year.

The dinner is free and the meals are served by volunteers.

Christine O’Connell who helps run the centre said: “The Christmas day dinner is a wonderful event and is part of our festive celebrations.

“The dinner is open to everyone and people just need to let us know and sign up.”

“It is run solely by volunteers who help to serve the meals.

“We also have a whole host of activities going on.”

The centre says: “Are you going to be spending Christmas on your own or are not able to have a Christmas lunch? Why not join us? No questions asked, meet new friends. 

“We provide free of charge a two course meal which consists of a full Christmas dinner plus desert as well as cheese and biscuits, fruit, mince pies and a free raffle and stand-up bingo and maybe a gift from Santa.”

Anyone wanting to attend is asked to call 01254 55977 before December 17.

The centre said it had also received £10,000 in funding from the National Lottery for it’s Men’s Shed project.

The aim is to support people within their community with their mental health and allocate a space for users.