Supporters of the People Help the People community group got into the festive spirit with yuletide tunes and party food when they gathered at the group’s inaugural Christmas party on Saturday.

It was held at the Willows and Maples Children’s Centre in Priestwood.

The Facebook group, which was set up in Bracknell in August, aims to help needy families by offering discounted or free services and also raises money to cover one-off costs of struggling individuals.

Party organiser Jacqui Sassi, a teacher at Charters School in Sunningdale, said: “It’s a community-based group and it’s really taken off – we raise money for various nominated charities by doing auctions and events.

“Everybody helps each other out and a lot of friendships have been formed through the work we’ve done.

“Lots of families here wanted to get together and give the community a chance to have a bit of a Christmas get together – times aren’t easy for anybody at the moment and everything here has been kindly donated.

“Everybody has had a great time – it’s wonderful to get people together as a community and it really is like an old- fashioned type of party.” Alongside a trip to Santa’s grotto, dozens of enthusiastic youngsters were also treated to an appearance from hit children’s TV character Peppa Pig, played by Cally Cogan.

Cally, who came along with her daughter Kiarna-Rose, said: “She’s absolutely loved it – we’ve had a wonderful time. We’ve been organising it for a while now and she’s been excited about it from the beginning.

“When Peppa Pig came out she looked at me and said ‘mummy, mummy’ and I was trying to pretend it wasn’t me!” To join the People Help the People group, visit www.facebook.com/groups/ peoplehelpthepeople, go to @lovephtp on Twitter.