A west Norfolk care home is opening its doors to provide a festive welcome to elderly and frail people and their carers.

Downham Grange, in Downham Market, is hosting a Christmas party and inviting members of the community to join in with residents.

As well as food and drink there will be activities and festive music from the town's Grace Community Church.

Guests will also be able to help make and decorate a Christmas Wishing Tree with their hopes and prayers for 2016.

Annabel Banister, manager of the 62-bed care home, said: 'As part of being in a dementia friendly community like Downham Market we want to reach out to people and their carers who are living with dementia in their own homes.

'Many of our residents have dementia and our staff, who have been trained in the best ways to support people with the condition, will be able to offer advice and answer questions.'

Mrs Banister said their invitation was not just to people with dementia but to all elderly people and their family carers who might be feeling lonely during the season.

'We hope the Christmas party will be an opportunity for us to share our home and a little Christmas magic,' she said.

'To further our support of the dementia friendly community, we have made contact with the town's excellent dementia café.

'In the New Year we hope we can work together to provide an additional venue and further activities.'

The town launched a project to become a Dementia Friendly Community in September and the Downham Dementia Support Association is working with Age UK Norfolk on the scheme, which aims to make the town more inclusive and understanding for people with the condition.

Similar communities launched in Norfolk include ones in Wymondham, Wells-next-the-sea, North Walsham, Dereham and Cromer.

Downham Grange has wheelchair access and disabled toilets.

The party will last from 2pm to 4pm on Thursday, December 17 and for further information contact Mrs Bannister on 01366 387054.