A COMMUNITY café and resource centre is offering free festive food and seasonal celebrations on Christmas Day.

Volunteers will be opening Pact House, in Stanley, from 1pm for a traditional lunch followed by a Christmas film and quiz, with dinner at around 6pm.

The charitable facility, which started in the summer offers free food using donations from people who use the service and businesses in the town.

Organisers are keen to point out it is neither a food bank nor a soup kitchen for the homeless.

Volunteer Dave Clarke, a police sergeant with Durham Constabulary, said: “We want people to come in to get into the spirit of Christmas within their community.

“There is no point in sitting in the house on your own, and if people cannot get out we will come and pick them up.”

The former bank and second hand shop is run by around 20 volunteers and receives free food from Greggs, further up on Front Street at the end of each working day, as well as donations from people who eat there.

Stanley Town Council has agreed to pay the £10,000 a year lease for the next ten years.

As well as the free café, Pact House has computers facilities and group sessions with community groups and support workers to offer people any help they need.

A youth club is held on Tuesdays from 6.30pm-8.30pm with plans to open on Friday and Saturday evenings in the New Year.

Youth worker and Stanley Town Councillor Darren McMahon said: “It gives the kids somewhere to be.

“Most of kids are not bad, just bored so we ask them what they want to do, what they are about and what they need and then we deliver it.”

Every Wednesday, up to 80 people attend a communal meal to socialise and enjoy a range of wholesome homemade food free of charge.

Sgt Clarke added: “When I am working I eat here and we want people to know this is somewhere for people to come because it is convenient and affordable.

“One of the biggest thing we have to conquer is the perception that it is a food bank or soup kitchen.

“What we are we are trying to create is a buzzing community venue.”

The Christmas Day event is free but people are asked to book a place by calling Tina Walters on 0797-038-3747.