More than 100 elderly and vulnerable people enjoyed some festive cheer in Whitchurch after local volunteers prepared, cooked and delivered meals to residents on Christmas Day.

For the 47th year, members of Whitchurch Rotary Club took time out of their own festive celebrations to support vulnerable and lonely people in the town. In the run-up to Christmas the club also raised nearly £9,000 for good causes.

It raised this money by holding two of its annual fundraising appeals – the Christmas float and Christmas tree of light.

Sam Eccleston, club spokesman, said: “Christmas Day lunches were prepared, cooked and delivered for the 47th consecutive year to the elderly and needy people in and around Whitchurch in their homes by Whitchurch Rotarians on Christmas Day.

“Over 100 meals were prepared in the kitchens of Sir John Talbot’s Technology College.”

He added that the meals were prepared by retired college lecturer Peter Lowe supported by club president Greg Watson, Paul Coddington, George Brown, Howard Jones, Don Pearce and many other volunteers.

A string of businesses and organisations including Walker’s Bakery, Grocontinental, Chesters Choice, Gardiners, Mill Street Chip Shop, Bradbury’s Butchers, The Park Nursery, Iscoyd Park, Sir John Talbot’s Technology College, Blackhurst Garage and the Higginson Trust donated food and festive treats.

The group even won praise from the Right Reverend Mark Rylands, Bishop of Shrewsbury, who visited the kitchens to see the volunteers in action.

Mr Eccleston said the club’s Christmas fundraising appeals were a big success despite the tough economic outlook.

He said the Christmas float, raised a record-breaking £7,225, while the tree of light raised at least £1,415.

He said: “More than 80 per cent of the Whitchurch Rotary Club’s membership plus helpers from other local organisations were involved in the collection teams.”