A FREE festive dinner to bring lonely people together at Christmas is being held in Greenock.

This is the second time young mum Taylor Barnes has organised the festive feast to help people who are isolated or struggling financially over the festive period.

The 21-year-old, who is mum to two-year-old Harper and is expecting her second child in March, says the dinner is being held on Christmas day at the Gibshill Community Centre.

She told the Tele: "It was so special last year to see everybody happy - it makes my Christmas.

"It was lovely to see everyone come together and all the volunteers enjoyed it.

"It was good fun.

"It felt like Christmas again to everyone who was there and it eased a lot of pressure on people.

"It's all about bringing people together so no-one spends Christmas Day alone."

Last year Taylor organised a free dinner as she was going to be spending the day alone with her one-year-old daughter Harper and overheard another lady talking about how lonely she would be on Christmas Day.

The event, which was held at the 134 Steak House in Cathcart Street, was a huge success and inspired Taylor to organise another dinner this year.

Taylor says she has been inundated with offers of help from members of the community and local businesses.

She added: "I'm so thankful to Gibshill Community Centre for allowing me to have the Christmas dinner there as the hall is great and can hold up to 70 people.

"I'm also grateful to 'The Grub Hub' in Broomhill who have offered to make enough soup to feed 70 people.

"The Orangefield Cafe have offered to make ice-cream and meringues for dessert."

Greenock singer-songwriter Anthony McElwee is also lined up to perform at the event.

Taylor is now keen to hear from any local butchers who could help with donations of steak pie.

Any local businesses or volunteers who can assist Taylor or anyone who would like to attend the Christmas dinner is asked to phone Taylor on 07568 384053 or contact her via Facebook.