The Palace Hotel and the Salvation Army are joining forces to prepare a huge Boxing Day lunch.

The team at the Palace will be providing, preparing and cooking all the food for the Salvation Army’s event.

Palace Hotel services director Gareth Capper said: ’We’ve been supporting the Salvation Army’s Boxing Day lunch for a good number of years, now.

’It’s always our custom to donate extra turkeys as well as a selection of meats - such as sides of beef and honey roast hams - and provide the roast potatoes, vegetables, gravy - all the trimmings, in fact - right down to the stuffing and mince pies.

’Our executive chef, Chris Swinden, and his team at the Palace Hotel will then prepare and cook all food on Boxing Day morning, ready for the Salvation Army to collect around 11.30.

’We’re fully booked for the festive season at the Palace Hotel where Chris and his team will be serving around 350 guests on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day, so the prospect of cooking for an additional 50 or so guests of the Salvation Army will be no challenge for the hotel’s experienced kitchen brigade.’

He added: ’We know how Christmas can be a difficult time for lonely and disadvantaged people.

’The Salvation Army, though, is a powerful force for good and does all it can to include those most in need and feeling isolated in its Christmas celebrations.

’The Palace Hotel places great importance on engaging with the local community and being "a good neighbour", so we’re pleased to be continuing our support of the Salvation Army’s transformational work.’

The Salvation Army’s Captain Dylan Nieuwoudt said: ’We’re extremely grateful to the Palace Hotel for their continued generosity and support.

’Thanks to the hotel and our team of volunteers we’ll be able to create a welcoming festive atmosphere at our traditional Boxing Day lunch, which will help to make a very real difference to around 50 people who would otherwise feel lonely and excluded at Christmas.’