A COMMITTEE set up to give people aged 65 and over a free Christmas dinner celebrated its 40th anniversary with a party.

May Hill Senior Citizen Christmas Lunch was set up in 1975 by Mr Jo and Mrs Angela Watkins who thought it was a good idea to host a Christmas party for residents aged 65 and over.

A committee was formed and the first party, albeit a cold meal with hot mashed potatoes, was held in December 1975.

The committee hold two dinners each year for around 68 people, and the funds from this, together with the support of Longhope Parish Charity Land, provide the money to enable the committee to pay for and improve the party each year.

Father Christmas also dropped into the party at May Hill Village Hall.

Committee member, Gilly Wells said: "We had a lovely afternoon which featured a turkey lunch with all the trimmings and wine, May Hill players performed a comedy sketch, and, as chairman of the committee, I cut the Christmas cake and gave an anniversary speech.

“Cheese and biscuits were served with the raffle and Father Christmas and his fairy arrived. We finished the day with a cake and bucks fizz and big hamper raffle.

“Forty years on and the Christmas party is going from strength to strength. Let’s hope that this tradition continues for many years to come.”