THE spirit of goodwill was alive and well over the festive period thanks to local organisations such as Bury-based Making Space.

The support group for people who suffer severe mental illness provided a traditional Christmas day lunch for those who would not otherwise have had one.

The organiser of the group is former Bury Woman of the Year Lily Reid and this is the seventh year she has organised a festive feast. Several volunteers, co-ordinated by Councillor Yvonne Wright, also helped by providing transport to and from the venue at the day centre on Parsons Lane.

The group also enjoyed their annual coach trip to Blackpool on Boxing Day.