A COMMUNITY group set up to reduce social isolation among Radcliffe's elderly residents is going from strength to strength.

Friendly Faces, which opened last summer, proved to be one of the town's biggest success stories of 2015 and its founder is hoping for more of the same this year.

Mum-of-four Cherella Young saw the group gain a huge following in its first few weeks and organised a Christmas hamper for each of her regular members.

After sending out an appeal for donations of food and toiletries in November, she was delighted with the support offered by generous local residents, charities, businesses and community groups.

She said: "I was inundated with people donating items for the Christmas hampers. Radcliffe Rotary club spent £200 on items which helped massively.

"Trewan Sands Children's Trust also made up four hampers full of luxury items as well as a massive donation from Dunelm.

"The hampers were made up and given out to members at the groups Christmas party which was held the day before Christmas Eve.

"Members where overwhelmed with the hampers and where very emotional receiving them.

"It was very touching and none of it would of been possible without the fantastic help and sheer generosity of the local public and businesses."

Ms Young was inspired to start up the group after encountering many lonely and isolated pensioners in her job selling mobility equipment, and has received the backing of groups such as Radcliffe Carnival and the ROC Centre.

She added: "The group has come so far since starting and there are new members attending each week and various services involved."

The group had its first meeting of the new year yesterday, with a performance from singer Jessica B, and will continue to meet every Wednesday from 2-4pm at Radcliffe Borough FC.

For more information about Friendly Faces or to volunteer email friendlyfaces942@gmail.com.