AFTER a year's absence, the Hardie Park Community Christmas Day meal in Stanford-le-Hope is about to make a comeback.

Volunteers are now being sought to join those who will help put the special festive event together, as the Friends of Hardie Park's Rob Groves explains: "After a year off we've decided to organise our lovely Christmas Day meal for some of Thurrock's loneliest residents again.

"As always, it gives the community a chance to pull together and give a little to make a huge difference in someone's life and put a smile on a face.

"This year we are hosting a maximum of 20 people, so we are not after tonnes of food! Just a little!"

Volunteers are being offered the opportunity to sign up via the Friends' Facebook page (see link below) which is also the place to visit to nominate someone to be a guest or to sign up for the meal.