Swaffham celebrates friendship and community at Christmas lunch

A community Christmas meal in Swaffham welcomed over 100 people to enjoy a festive lunch free of charge.

The meal, organised by the Iceni Partnership, is aimed at people who would normally be on their own at Christmas and has become a much enjoyed annual event.

Laid out at the Assembly Rooms in the town volunteers and their guests feasted on a traditional turkey dinner followed by Christmas pudding and cake.

Organiser Jonathan Read said many people now came back year after year.

'It has become very much an institution,' he said. 'We are supported by lots of local small businesses who give us food at cost or free and we are helped by the green token scheme in Waitrose.

'This year we were also given a grant by the Bernard Matthews Foundation.'

The diners were entertained well into the afternoon and there were raffle prizes to be won. Mr Read said the event had become a real celebration.