HOMELESS and lonely people will enjoy a free Christmas Day meal at a city pub which has launched an appeal to raise funds.

Landlord Colin 'Mad Pierre' Robinson has launched a fundraising appeal to help pay for the six-course meal at The Chestnut Tree Inn in Lansdowne Road which are offered for free.

Last year, the pub couldn't invite people into the pub but delivered meals to the YMCA and Women's Aid.

But now they are looking to welcoming back people who would otherwise be lonely on December 25 and have already raised £250 towards the festive meals.

Mr Robinson said: "We probably cook about 50 lunches for the homeless and lonely people.

"Most of my family has passed away so it is sort of like an extension to my family - it's a very pleasant day.

Worcester News:

"It's a nice community thing to do. People have been very, very generous and the locals seem to really be into it.

"It starts at 3pm and we give them a six or seven course meal and presents and stuff and it finishes whenever they finish."

Preparations start with a shop at Bookers to pick up the essentials and then finishes with a mammoth cooking session for 65-year-old Mad Pierre.

"I try to prepare as much as I can beforehand but it always ends in a panic on the day.

"I've been doing it since the 1990s at every pub I've been to and it's become quite a tradition now.

"We have a few people who turn up every year because I invite St Paul's Hostel, Maggs Day Centre and people from the YMCA."

While Mr Robinson will be cooking on the day the pub is looking for a business to take over the kitchen long term.

Anyone wishing to donate towards the Christmas meals can do so on the Chestnut Tree Inn's Facebook page facebook.com/TheChestnutInn or at the pub.