Residents are being asked to do more to help older people who are lonely at Christmas.

National charity Friends Of The Elderly (FOTE) is calling on people in Brighton and Hove to Be A Friend and reach out to older people who will spend Christmas alone this year.

The call to action follows its recent survey, which shows that 89% of those asked recognise that Christmas is a difficult time of year to be alone.

Despite this, 24% said they have never done anything for an older neighbour or member of the community at Christmas time.

While 74% felt they could do more to support older people over the festive season, 45% said they did not have the time with 32% not knowing how to help.

Launched nationally in August, the charity held an afternoon tea at The Grand hotel in Brighton yesterday to celebrate the start of its Be A Friend campaign across Sussex, the county it has chosen for the pilot project.

The charity hopes people will pledge to Be A Friend and has come up with a list of ideas including chatting to an older person on the way to work or swapping favourite Christmas recipes with an older neighbour.

Steve Allen, chief executive of Friends Of The Elderly, said: “Our Be a Friend campaign is a fundamental part of our long-term aim of combating loneliness and isolation among older people.

“Loneliness is a big problem but we know that it will make a real difference if everyone simply gets to know the people who live around them and look out for each other where they can.

“Wishing someone a Merry Christmas or having a brief chat might not seem like much, but it can make the world of difference to an older person who has no family and friends around.

“We want to stress that people don’t have to go out of their way to get involved, which is why many of the things we suggest can be done as part of their daily routine.

“We want to harness the general goodwill of people at this time of year to take that first step and promise to Be A Friend.”

For more information, visit www.beafriendtoday.org.uk.