CHRISTMAS is over and New Year is just around the corner, but it is always important to remember that over the festive period there are those for whom this time of year is not so pleasant.

There are tens of thousands of elderly people across the city and indeed Sussex as a whole who find it difficult to make ends meet and also suffer from loneliness.

It is a sad fact of life that as we grow older we lose long-term partners and that loss can be devastating.

Many suffer from acute loneliness, especially at this time of year when family is so important and plays such a key role.

It must also be noted that we are in the depths of winter and although it is unseasonably mild at present there is little doubt that we will experience a bout of freezing weather at some point over the next month or two.

It is a fact that many elderly people struggle to pay heating bills at this time of the year and that, in the 21st century, is a damning indictment.

Gas and electricity companies have quite rightly been criticised and there have been calls from politicians of all persuasions for action to be taken.

This is good news in theory but needs to be put into practice sooner rather than later.

Charities have rightly called for people to check on elderly neighbours, particularly if they are alone, to ensure they are OK and not in need of anything.

We can but hope that this is the case as if things don’t seem to be right, the chances are they may well be not.

Even if everything is fine, just popping in and having a cup of tea and a chat with an elderly neighbour could well make the world of difference.