The café at St Peter's Hospital is collecting festive food boxes again for elderly or vulnerable people who will be spending Christmas alone.

Last winter, the café helped to deliver 100 food boxes to residents across the Maldon district - which includes Burnham-on-Crouch and the Dengie - and it now wants to spread the same joy to locals again as winter approaches.

Julie Taylor, who runs the café on Spital Road in Maldon, said: "The hampers go to lonely elderly and vulnerable people.

"They are distributed by staff at the café, district nurses, community agents and people leaving St Peter's ward over Christmas."

Residents can help by putting together a shoe box or basket with any of the following items:

- Tinned goods including meat, fish, fruit or vegetables

- Christmas treats including chocolates, Christmas cake or pudding, mince pies or a mini bottle of wine

- New socks, gloves or scarves

- Lap blankets that you have knitted or sewn

The items can also be donated individually - please ensure that all food items are non-perishable.

The café is already receiving "lovely knitted items", Julie said.

She added: "This Christmas, I want to smash it better than ever."

Residents can drop the items or hampers directly to the café at St Peter's Hospital on Spital Road - which is open from 9am to 2pm on Mondays to Fridays - or staff can arrange drop-off points in the Dengie area.

The hampers will be delivered to locals during the run-up to Christmas.

You can contact the café's Facebook page using the link here.