A "Fairy Godmother" manager who gave up her own Christmas Day to make sure elderly people in Trowbridge had a socially-distanced celebration has been fired.

Residents at Regal Court retirement complex in Trowbridge have been left horrified at the actions of home owners Firstport - and at whoever reported Pam Lewis to both police and to the company.

Mrs Lewis is fighting the decision, with support from her union, and said: “I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to the residents.”

Firstport told the Wiltshire Times they “cannot condone individual actions which break the rules put in place to protect our vulnerable residents.”

The company says Mrs Lewis broke Firstport’s rules when she opened up the closed communal lounge once she heard that residents would be alone due to government restrictions.

She set about cooking up a Christmas feast for the residents. Tables were set six feet apart from each other, she said, and masks worn the entire time.

Wiltshire Police were called on two occasions after they received a report that the meal was in breach of regulations. Officers called twice at the home on Christmas Day, spoke to those involved and left without taking any action.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Pam outside Regal CourtPam outside Regal Court

Mrs Lewis has worked for Firstport for three years, and been at Regal Court for 20 months. On January 4 she was suspended after an investigatory hearing and, last Friday, found out she was dismissed.

She lives on site, and claims she is now “pretty much homeless.”

She said: “There was a table of three and a table of four, and they were six foot apart, it’s a 30ft by 30ft space with no door, and the windows were open.

“The police came on two occasions, at abut 9.30am then again about 4.30pm. The one in the morning was horrified that someone had called and told us we hadn’t broken any rules, and for it to not ruin our day.

“All the residents were going to be all alone for Christmas Day, they had no-one. We even had donations to help support the meal.

“We had offered to deliver the meals to people’s rooms if they preferred as well.”

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Letters of support from residents and their relativesLetters of support from residents and their relatives

Support from residents and their families has flown in for Pam in the wake of her dismissal. One letter she received thanked her “for everything you’ve done” and added: “You are one of the amazing group of people that have kept the country happy, healthy and sane this year.”

Andy Newman, branch representative for the union GMB, has also thrown his support behind Pam. He said: “What Pam did was what people the length and breadth of Britain did this Christmas. They did what they could for their community and reached out to those in need.

"The employer has taken a ridiculous view and disregarded the mental wellbeing of these residents.

"The fact she has been thrown out her home and fired is completely disproportionate to what she did - which was use a lounge without asking permission first.”

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “We were called to reports of a covid regulations breach at Regal Court, Trowbridge, on Christmas Day.

“Officers spoke with the persons present and confirmed no breach of regulations had taken place.”

Residents, many of whom see themselves as a support bubble, have lamented the lost of Pam from the facility.

Mandy Jones referred to Pam as a "Fairy Godmother" figure at Regal Court. She added: “She is efficient and popular and has kept all the residents in good spirits. She loses not only her job, but her home, due to an unselfish act of kindness.”

She added that residents had been pleased since the appointment of Pam in the role, as it had been difficult to keep someone in the post long-term previously.

A spokesman for Firstport said: “The safety of our residents is our utmost priority and we were extremely concerned to hear about this incident, which was in breach of both government rules and the clear guidance we have regularly provided to our employees.

"Throughout the pandemic, we have had procedures in place to protect our residents and staff, including enhanced cleaning regimes and the temporary closure of communal lounges in retirement developments.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Regal CourtRegal Court

“An investigation is currently being conducted into this incident and, while it may have been well intentioned, we cannot condone individual actions which break the rules put in place to protect our vulnerable residents.”

“At the start of the pandemic we recognised that loneliness was a key concern, particularly in our retirement developments where many residents live alone and communal lounges were closed for their safety.

"We adapted our routines to provide support but in a safe and compliant way, for instance Development Managers have made daily phone calls to vulnerable residents and we have provided weekly entertainment packs, including crosswords and puzzles, for residents who would like them.”