The nurse

Sarah Morter, from Norwich, will be working at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital in her job as an infection control nurse (IFN).

She said: 'Infection, prevention and control work doesn't stop just because it is Christmas. At work on Christmas Day I will be reviewing patients and their infections, going to the designated single rooms that are for patients admitted to the hospital from outside with diarrhoea and/or vomiting that may be caused by an infection such as food poisoning or norovirus.

'I decide whether they are likely to have an infectious cause for their diarrhoea or whether there may be another reason. We currently do not have any cases of norovirus at the N&N.

'As we do not know what calls there will be or how many results we will have, I don't know how long I will be at work for on the day.

'My husband was a nurse and my daughter is soon going to be a student nurse so they are very understanding.

'I have been an IFN for nine years. I don't mind working on Christmas Day because it doesn't happen every year and I have New Year off.

'My daughter recently moved out and will be cooking her first Christmas dinner for us all, which I will go to after work, so I feel quite lucky! If I wasn't at work I would probably be cooking Christmas dinner for 14 people.

'I don't feel like I am missing out by working on Christmas Day; if I had grandchildren then maybe I would.'

The support worker

Christmas Day is no different from any other for workers in residential and care homes.

Scott Louden, aged 61, from Thorpe St Andrew, will be working at Treeview Court, in Norwich, as a support worker.

Mr Louden said: 'My job involves supporting people in their own homes who have a learning disability, physical disability or mental health needs.

'On Christmas Day I will be working from 8am until 2pm and generally just ensuring the service users enjoy themselves and engage in what ever activities we have planned that day.

'I am happy to work on Christmas Day because I still have time to see my family afterwards. I have worked in the health service for 30 years and have had to work about 20 Christmases.

'I am working both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, but I am still hoping to go out in the evening.

'If I wasn't at work on Christmas Day, I would have a lie-in before going to see my family.

'In an ideal world it would be nice to have the whole period off, but when you work in health care it's a given that at least part of the time has to be given up for people that do not have family of their own and would therefore be alone at Christmas.'

The pub landlord

Punters will be able to go out for a lunchtime pint on Christmas Day as some pubs will be open, including The Cottage on Thunder Lane, Thorpe St Andrew.

Landlord Ian Perry, 41, will be working with his partner, Lorraine Garlick, 31.

Mr Perry said: 'I like working on Christmas Day. I never have a problem getting staff to work – the atmosphere is always really good in the pub and everyone is in a good mood. We are open from midday until 2.30pm which is long enough so I can still spend the rest of the day with my family.'

This year will be the ninth consecutive Christmas Mr Perry works at The Cottage.

'Lorraine's family have always been in the pub trade so she is used to working over Christmas. Our daughters Abigail [aged six] and Imogen [four] are looking forward to dressing up and spending Christmas in the pub,' he said.

'We always do a good trade on Christmas Day. We will see a lot of the locals come in for a drink.'

The hotel staff

The Maid's Head Hotel in Tombland, Norwich, will be open on Christmas Day.

General manager Alan Moxton, 56, said: 'We have people from depart-ments in the hotel working on Christmas Day, except the office staff. We are full for lunch and have sold nearly all the rooms. We will be having a staff get-together beforehand and a belated Christmas party for all the staff in January.

'I have found that some people actually like to work Christmas and New Year – we are use to working Christmas in the hotel trade; it is part of life.'

Head chef, Rob Norman, 24, from Barnham Broom, said: 'I have worked every Christmas Day for the past eight years. My sister will probably work on Christmas Day as well, so our family will get together in the evening and have a meal.

'I don't mind working over Christmas and New Year because I prefer to take my holiday in the summer. I race dirt bikes so there is not much point in taking my holiday in the winter.

'On Christmas Day I will be cooking about 100 breakfasts, 190 lunches and 110 evening meals. Working Christmas is part of the job. We are here to make sure every customer has a great time and enjoys their Christmas.'

Receptionist at the Maid's Head, Sophie Towler, 20, from St Stephen's Road, Norwich, said: 'I don't mind working on Christmas Day because I am working the early shift from 7am until 3.30pm so my family and boyfriend will put Christmas on hold until I am home from work.

'I worked last Christmas at a different hotel so I am used to working during the festive season. It is not a big deal to me. I don't mind being at work because we all get on really well.

'A lot of the staff have family so I think they should be able to have the time off. I am not working at New Year this year although I did volunteer. I don't think my boyfriend is very happy about me working on Christmas Day because I did last year and he was on his own.'