A Christmas Day lunch for pensioners is to be held in Devizes for the first time this year.

Organisers Christopher Sloane, 71, and his wife Pam, 69, were inspired by articles in the Gazette & Herald last Christmas, about a similar event that has been running in Marlborough for the last 10 years.

It will be held from noon until about 4pm at Sheep Street Baptist Church and is free to pensioners, although donations will be welcomed.

Mrs Sloane said: “We have been overwhelmed with the willingness of people offering to help and so will be able to follow on after lunch with some musical entertainment and Christmas activities.

“We have a great team of about 20 volunteers who would rather help with our event and then have their own celebrations later on.”

Organisation started about four months ago and the couple meet the Marlborough organisers, Joy and Nigel Kerton, to tap into their expertise.

The Sloanes have also linked up with Age UK, who will be one of the contacts for booking places, and Aster Community has given £1,000 to sponsor the event.

Roundway parish councillor Jeanette Vonberg has organised a Connect2 bus for transport, and the day will accommodate 65 people.

Walter Rose butchers have given the couple a discount on turkeys and the Christmas lunch will be prepared by Mrs Sloane and two other people who cook for the Sheep Street Church’s lunch club.

The couple are going to see their four children over the New Year and Mrs Sloane has said if this year’s event is a success she hopes that it will become an annual event.

Mr and Mrs Sloane would like to thank Aster Communities for sponsoring the day and providing funds.

Antony Higgins, Aster Communities customer involvement and community development manager for Wiltshire, said: “When Mr and Mrs Sloane approached us to see if we would be able to help fund their Christmas event, we were only too pleased to get involved.

“We’ve supported this event through the zone 25 Neighbourhood Panel, which is made up of our customers and other local residents.”

To book a place, contact 01380 735512 or email pam.sloane@me.uk