NIGEL and Joy Kerton have every faith the new organisers of Marlborough’s Christmas Day lunch will continue to make it a success as they leave it in the hands of three Marlburians, one of whom is their 15-year-old granddaughter.

After 11 years the couple, of St Margaret’s Mead, have stepped down from organising the event at the town hall providing a hot meal and entertainment for the town’s senior citizens, who would otherwise be spending Christmas Day alone.

But they are thrilled to see the lunch’s preparation is staying in the family as their granddaughter Vicky Ellis, who is a student at St John’s, has taken the reins to keep it running along with town councillor Lisa Farrell and volunteer Mark Shire.

“Vicky has helped us since she was four or five-years-old and she knows everything about what happens,” said Mr Kerton

“Mark has always been involved in local charitable work and Lisa is obviously a town councillor, so we have three Marlburians running it which is great.”

Mayor Margaret Rose has given them the use of the town hall for free and Mr Shire who works in catering will be doing the majority of the cooking.

This year councillor Farrell, who has volunteered on Christmas Day for more than seven years, is eager to reach out to homeless people too.

She said: “If there is any homeless people out there that need a hot meal we want to help and we can take it to them.”

The three-course lunch for over 55s is free thanks to a donation from the Marlborough Jubilee Centre.

Marlborough College has also donated money and there will be music and bingo, with the main prize in memory of Ann Harley who died last year and helped organise the event for ten years.

Those who attend will also get a bag of sandwiches, cakes and mince pies to take home for dinner and the food bank has donated food parcels.

Cllr Farrell added: “It is an honour and hopefully me, Vicky and Mark can step up to the challenge and I think we are.

“If anyone knows of anyone being at home on Christmas Day please call us. We have two people doing transport and they will be able to pick them up. Please do not let anyone be on their own on Christmas Day.”

The event starts from 11am and booking forms can be picked up from the Jubilee Centre in Marlborough High Street. For more information call Cllr Farrell on: 07540900139.

The Christmas Day lunch Facebook page can be found here.