Crews from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have spread festive cheer in the Firefighter community over Christmas, by hand-delivering food hampers to retired colleagues, widows and widowers of Service personnel.

The hampers, which were gifted to members of the National Association of Retired Firefighters (NARF), and also included signed Christmas cards, were dropped off via fire engine to beneficiaries at their homes while out and about in their local communities the week before Christmas.

Donations of food and drink from Firefighters made up most of the hampers, with a small contribution also made by staff at the Mountsorrel branch of Waitrose.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Paul Weston said: "Christmas is a time for family and friends, but it's also important to remember those who may be feeling lonely or isolated at this time of year.

"The Fire and Rescue Service is a family you never really leave, and we wanted to extend our support to those local NARF members who need it most, to show them they're in our thoughts."

Frank Byrne, Life Vice President of NARF, said: "This is a wonderful gesture from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, as it reminds and reassures our members over the festive period that they are still part of the Service community. I'd also like to thank the staff at Mountsorrel Waitrose for their generosity."

Mountsorrel Waitrose Team Manager Shannon Else said: "We like to play an active part in our local community when we can, and we were happy to contribute towards these hampers for retired Firefighters and their families over Christmas."