FOR most people Christmas Day is a joyful occasion with family and friends, but for some it can be the loneliest time of the year.

That is why, for the last 13 years, a charity in Cirencester has been putting on a Christmas Day meal and inviting anyone who wishes to attend, whether they be elderly, homeless or living alone.

Disability Information and Support in Cotswolds (DISC) and Churches Together organise the free lunch which is always well attended.

Dee Drinan, manager of DISC, first had the idea for the lunch after coming out of hospital where she had been treated for epilepsy and a nervous breakdown.

The quality care she received in hospital inspired her to do something to help others.

She said: “I came through all that and somehow got my epilepsy under control. The staff looked after me and I wanted to give something back. ”

Every year so far the lunch has been held at Cirencester’s Holy Trinity Church, but this year it has moved to a much larger venue, Bingham Hall.

Each table has its own host who serves the meals, which are created by chef Mike Harrison and his team with food provided by two Cirencester businesses, The Market Garden and Michael Hart and Son.

To make sure everyone who wants to attend can get there, Dee’s husband, Mark Drinan, assisted by Lucy Locquet, picks up people from across the district in a mini bus loaned by the St John Ambulance charity.

Once the meal is over, guests can choose a Christmas gift from the venue which they can then take home.

Many of these gifts have been chosen to cater for the needs of disadvantaged people, with items such as sleeping bags provided to ensure that people who cannot afford to put their heating on or are homeless can stay warm.

Dee said: “It is important that people have something to take home. If you are a pensioner you only have enough money to spend on food or heating.”

Anyone wishing to attend the meal is asked to arrive at the King Street venue at 11.45am, with lunch served at 12.30pm. To request a lift there, call 01285 650 950.

The lunch at Bingham Hall is not the only meal being provided for the disadvantaged in Cirencester this Christmas.

Eat Wild restaurant in Castle Street, Cirencester is opening its doors to the homeless on the evening of Christmas Eve.

While in Malmesbury the charity HEALS will serve Christmas lunch at 12.30pm in the Malmesbury Community Hub in Cross Hayes.