MORE than 80 older residents celebrated Christmas with a party at a secondary school.

At Haslingden High School's Sixth Form Centre, senior citizens were treated to a buffet-style dinner waited on by around 70 students.

A Christmas concert was held at the school with the Big Band and Brass Band played, with a flute choir, two rock bands, a 24 piece guitar ensemble, soloists and choir.

The men and women, who live nearby, were entertained by musicians Haslingden High School.

Student services officer Ann Hodgkiss said: “We hold the Christmas Party every year when we welcome back a lot of familiar faces and some new ones.

“Year 12 Sixth Form students wait on tables and we also have a raffle and Father Christmas makes an appearance.”

Bethan Nelson, 16, said: “I wanted to help because it is nice to give the elderly people a good dinner.”

Laura Hartland, 16, said: “Some elderly people don’t get out a lot and so it is nice for them to get to see different people that they wouldn’t normally get to speak to.”

Expressive Arts student Kevin Gibbs said: “The Big Band and Brass Band played carols for the party.

“We took five musicians to The Lindens Rest Home, in Haslingden, where we played carols for an hour and took requests."