A PROJECT ensuring young people who have previously been in the care system do not feel alone on Christmas Day will still go ahead despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Although the annual Ellesmere Port Christmas Dinner initiative is unable to host any sit-down meals this year, plans are underway for a delivery service so care leavers aged between 18-25 still have a day to remember.

The national Christmas Dinners project, which has been running in the town for the past two years, was founded by the poet Lemn Sissay MBE and is organised entirely by an independent group of community volunteers.

He spent much of his childhood in care and recognised that young people who had been raised in foster care or care homes often lacked support once they left the care system.

Action Transport Theatre – a charity and young people's organisation – are once again leading the Ellesmere Port Christmas Dinner, organising presents and food hampers to be delivered on the big day.

Councillor Nicole Meardon, who represents the Sutton Villages ward in Ellesmere Port, said: "It's fantastic to be supporting this group of young people again.

"Although the pandemic has meant that we can't celebrate the festivities as normal, we can still try to make Christmas as special as possible and create a day to remember…"