FOUR community groups in Hartlepool have received an early Christmas present to make their celebrations special.

Greggs' Trust has given grants to four groups, to make their Christmas parties more fun.

The trust was set up to alleviate poverty and social deprivation in the North-East, where the Greggs bakery chain began.

One per cent of the group's annual net profit goes to the trust, as well as donations from shareholders and returns from investments.

The Elmer Park Community Association has received £300 to help pay for a Christmas lunch in a hotel for its elderly members.

Elmtree Park is a residential complex for elderly people, which houses 110 residents.

The Oxford Road East Residents Association has been given £300 to help with its Christmas celebrations, for people of all ages in the area.

The Engineers Tea Dance is a group of 60 elderly people, which meets every Monday in the Engineers Club, Raby Road, for sequence dancing.

Members have received £100 for a Christmas party, and to help pay for new compact discs for their dancing.

The Complex Friends of Tweed Walk is a group of elderly people living in sheltered accommodation.

The group's grant, of £300, is to help pay for a Christmas dinner for 500 people.