A family-run funeral director in Falkirk is hosting a free community Christmas dinner, so nobody has to spend the day alone or go without a festive meal.

Merrilees Family Funeral Directors say the aim of their fourth annual dinner is simple: bring people together on Christmas Day for dinner, company, friendship and a little festive cheer.

Owners Sam and Andrew have asked the community and businesses to help make the day possible. Every donation, no matter how small, will help provide a memorable Christmas Day for anyone facing it alone.

The couple also run Lonely Not Alone meetings for bereaved people in the Falkirk area which offers an informal meal and chat, and established the Scott Martin Foundation in memory of son Scott, a talented young boxer who died on New Year’s Day 2021, aged 16.

Sam from Merrilees Funeral Directors said: “Our free Community Christmas Day Dinner is all about bringing people together and making sure nobody has to spend Christmas Day on their own. It’s a chance for people to come along, enjoy a lovely Christmas dinner, have a blether, share a few laughs and hopefully make some lovely memories.

“We really can’t thank our amazing community enough for all the support they’ve given our Christmas day dinner over the years. From local businesses who help out to everyone who donates, volunteers or supports us in any way, we honestly couldn’t do it without you all.

“We’d also like to take the opportunity to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported us, not just with our Christmas dinner, but personally as a family and through our family business over the years. The kindness and support we’ve received means more to us than you’ll ever know.

“We’ve always been proud to be part of this community, and being able to give something back to the people who have been so good to us is something that really does mean the world to us.”