Christmas cheer is set to come early to nearly 3,000 of the borough’s elderly residents.

Food hampers, packed with a range of essentials and treats, are being provided to those aged 70 and over who live alone.

In addition to the food, which includes tea, coffee, jams, tinned vegetables and biscuits, the hampers will include a pass to use one of the council’s leisure centres and a Christmas card from the Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales.

The initiative has been led by the council’s eight community neighbourhood teams and the cost covered by donations from a number of businesses and organisations.

Sir Robin said: “Providing these hampers to some of the most vulnerable members of our community for me encapsulates what Christmas is all about.

“This is the second year we have handed out hampers to our older residents and just like last year they have proved extremely popular with those who have received them

Those receiving the hampers have been sent a letter notifying them of the early festive gift and given the chance to either have it delivered or to attend a tea party with other elderly residents.