HOMELESS, vulnerable and older people from across Bolton were given the chance to celebrate Christmas together.

A group of about 75 people sat down to enjoy an extravagant three-course dinner with all the trimmings.

To add to the festive cheer, visitors to The Venue Bar in Churchgate were also bestowed with dozens of gift-wrapped presents.

Gareth Bradbury, chairman of Bolton Community Kitchen, has been putting on the Christmas party for the homeless, vulnerable and elderly, for six years, with the support of businesses, schools, churches and other local groups.

He said: "It was their party, their time to enjoy themselves. They were singing and raving, they got the volunteers up dancing. They had a belting time.

"These are people who are homeless, vulnerable and elderly, people who are struggling and down on their luck, and probably won't sit down to a meal that good over Christmas.

"At this time of year, most of us will be sitting down with our families but there will be people on the streets. It is about finding a way to bring them some Christmas cheer."

It was all hands on deck as a group of about 20 volunteers prepared and cooked the tomato soup starter, followed by a chicken roast, complete with honey parsnips and roasted Brussels with bacon. The meal was topped off with mince pies and cream, a chocolate Yule log and Christmas cake.

Bolton Community Kitchen had also recruited help for a winter shoebox appeal, so that gifts of gloves, socks, deodorants, chocolate, notebooks and other items could be handed out.

Father Christmas also made an appearance and three acts entertained the gathering between 6pm and 9pm on Monday.

Mr Bradbury said: "We want to say a massive thanks to the community — to local schools, businesses and churches — for all of their continued support and donations.

"Without you this wouldn’t have been possible."

Every Tuesday night, the charity gives away free meals to those in need from its base at Bolton Rugby Club.

It also holds a lunchtime drop-in at the old Yorkshire Bank unit in Bradshawgate between 12 noon and 2pm on Fridays.

This week the Bolton News revealed the launch of an ambitious new campaign to recruit 300 volunteers to help the town’s rough sleepers.

Led by the newly formed Bolton Homeless Alliance, the project will provide overnight shelters for the town's homeless.

The Alliance is a partnership between Bolton Council, Bolton Council of Mosques (BCoM), Urban Outreach, Homeless Aid UK and Al-Khair Foundation.