One hundred older people celebrated Christmas with a free party thrown by Islington Council..

Pensioners and carers gathered at Islington Assembly Hall in Upper Street on for a slap up lunch organised by the local authority. They were joined by Islington mayor Cllr Theresa Debono, and Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council.

Meanwhile councillors Janet Burgess, Andy Hull, Rakhia Ismail and Angela Picknell, chief executive Lesley Seary and MP for Islington South and Finsbury Emily Thornberry were all on hand to serve hungry pensioners and help the party go with a swing

The food was paid for by local businesses,while entertainment was provided by the Highbury Fields School and council choirs.

All guests went home with a goody bag of mince pies, yule logs and a £10 Sainsbury’s gift card.

Cllr Janet Burgess, Islington Council’s executive member for health and wellbeing said: “It was great to see so many of Islington’s pensioners enjoying themselves.

“Our Christmas lunch was an opportunity for us to thank them for the contribution they make to our borough."

“Once again our local businesses, charities, partners, council staff volunteers and councillors helped make an afternoon to remember.”