Anyone who may find themselves alone on Christmas day have been invited for free coffee, a mince pie and good company in Sidmouth.

John and Kirsty Hammond will be opening The Dairy Shop, on Church Street, on December 25, lockdown permitting, between 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

John said: "Before we had The Dairy Shop in 2017 we had the idea of having something on Christmas Day for those who didn't want to celebrate or were by themselves.

"We were looking to take over a cafe to just have somewhere people could go.

"This was after a conversation around Christmas time where someone was saying it's so bad that some shops are open on Christmas Day... A single mum we knew replied it was her only adult contact on the day.

"This just broke our heart... We then ended up having our own coffee shop in 2017.

"This was our first year opening on Christmas day. All the family helped out (three generations).

"We then had our lunch after at around 5pm rather than at lunchtime."

John added that when they had good weather they were normally quite busy with people who had walked down to them by themselves.

John said: "We have been quite busy and it's been so well received by those locally who would find themselves without family on Christmas Day."