Volunteers from the British Red Cross will spend Christmas Day supporting unlucky patients who end up in A&E at Ipswich Hospital.

Peter Bloomfield, 68 and from Capel St Mary, is one of four charity volunteers who are giving up part of their festivities to help those in need.

“Coming to hospital can be an incredibly worrying time for people,” said Mr Bloomfield. “They are out of their comfort zone, and may be worried for themselves, or for loved ones at home.

“Our role is to help in any way we can, whether it’s making phone calls to let people know that they are OK, finding someone to care for a pet left at home, making sure they have something to eat or drink, or even just listening to them talking through their experience.”

Mr Bloomfield will be joined on Christmas morning by fellow volunteer Pauline Goode, while team-mates John Skoyles and Robin Massey will take over for the afternoon.