Silver Road Community Centre holds Peppa Pig Christmas party

The festive fun was held at Silver Road Community Centre on Tuesday, December 13, and Friday, December 16, with more than 50 people in attendance.

And the venue is now preparing to provide festive food for 50 more on Thursday, December 22 and Wednesday, December 28, when its food bank will provide a winter warm-up package filled with meat, treats and gifts.

It has all been organised by Labour city councillor Julie Brociek-Coulton, who has also planned another event on Christmas Eve, with those in need able to collect leftover food from supermarkets and enjoy mince pies, sausage rolls and mulled wine.

She said: "We had a lovely dinner and then we had Peppa Pig visiting the children as an alternative to Santa.

"They all loved him and were coming up to hug him it was great.

"We also had both an adults' bouncy castle and a kids' one at the party so we kept everyone happy.

"Now we want to give everyone something to enjoy over Christmas as a lot of the people we see aren't really too cheerful about it all.

"People come here and they leave with a smile on their face and hopefully with lots of nice things to enjoy."

Ms Brociek-Coulton said as well as providing festive merriment, food and drink the events brought the community together.

She added: "Many people just look forward to seeing someone else and having a quick chat.

"We've got to know everyone so we always have a good chat.

"That's why I've ordered in the sausage rolls and mince pies from Ketts Hill Bakery so we can just have a nice get-together."

She said the events would not be possible without her team of volunteers who she said had "worked so hard".

Ms Brociek-Coulton said: "They've been fantastic, every single one of them and also of course all the businesses which have given us the grants which make this possible."