CHRISTMAS celebrations were enjoyed across the generations at a festive tea party held at Polam Hall School in Darlington.

Sixth formers and younger pupils entertained a dining hall full of elderly visitors at the school’s Jack Frost Party, an annual event held especially for friends of the Town Mission.

While some pupils prepared and served tea, others sat among their elderly visitors talking to them about their lives and memories.

As well as chatting, they enjoyed sausage rolls, sandwiches and mince pies made by the children, sang Christmas songs together and took part in a Christmas quiz.

Each visitor retuned home with a surprise Christmas gift organised and gift-wrapped by Polam Hall pupils.

The event was run by head student, Jennifer Hirst, and deputy head student, Charlotte Allison.

They were helped by other sixth formers as part of the School’s enrichment programme designed to encourage responsible citizenship and leadership skills.

“It has been lovely to see the younger children mixing so well with the older folk,” said head girl Jennifer.

“I thought they may have found it a bit awkward thinking of what to say but they’ve been brilliant.’

Year seven pupil Darin Hamasaeed sat with nonagenarian retired teacher Mrs Brenda Brown and thoroughly enjoyed her company.

He said: “She told me all about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“She was very interesting and I told her I wanted to be an architect.

“The funniest thing was that she couldn’t remember if she was 95 or 96.”

Darlington Town Mission aims to prevent, and provide relief from, isolation among the elderly in the borough.