CHRISTMAS arrived early for elderly and vulnerable residents across Furness and South Lakeland when they were treated to a festive meal and gift, courtesy of three businesses.

Chefs from Lakeland Inns fired up their kitchens to produce 60 dinners and desserts for older people in Ulverston.

The meals were then delivered over the weekend by staff from My Kind of Clean, who had highlighted clients they believed would benefit from a seasonal treat

For a final festive flourish, everybody who received a meal was also presented with a Christmas gift, courtesy of Ulverston-based PR and Marketing company, 32West.

The generous gesture came about when friends Emma-lea Dalton and Kirsty Ridge were discussing how their businesses could help those most in need.

Ms Dalton, who is the owner of My Kind of Clean, said: “One of the services we offer is a companionship service, which we launched after realising that many of our elderly clients not only need help with their cleaning and errands, but would also like a little company. Kirsty said her team of chefs from Lakeland Inns could cook a Christmas meal for the clients we have who would most benefit - and we spent the weekend delivering them to 60 homes."

It was kitchen staff at Lakeland Inns’ The Sun in Ulverston who stepped up to the plate to prepare and cook the two course meals.

Managing Director Kirsty Ridge said: “It was a real pleasure to work with my kitchen teams to produce Christmas dinners for such a good cause and I hope the elderly and vulnerable people we delivered to enjoy them.”