AYR’S MP donned a Santa suit with a team of volunteers on Christmas Day to bring festive cheer to the door steps of hundreds of elderly residents.

In a bid to tackle loneliness in South Ayrshire, Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP Allan Dorans took to the role of brightening up Christmas for more than 120 pensioners.

The SNP politician was supporting Voluntary Action South Ayrshire who each year put on a special free party with a slap-up lunch, entertainment and presents.

But due to the coronavirus pandemic, the annual event had to be shelved, but bosses at VASA were still determined to press ahead with alternative plans to ensure no one was truly alone this Christmas.

A small army of volunteers including Dorans headed out to deliver a bumper of goody bags on the big day.

Each delivery included a Christmas dinner organised with the help of Wiltshire Farm Foods, a parcel from Santa, a tin of biscuits and a hand-knitted stocking stuffed with treats and toiletries.

VASA Chief Officer Marie Oliver said: “If people can’t come to us on Christmas Day then we decided we would take Christmas to them.”

Everyone also received a Christmas card made specially for them by a pupil at Newton Primary as well as a DVD of the school’s Christmas play for them to enjoy.

Marie added: “As well as bringing gifts and goodies, the Christmas Companions volunteers will also bring a bit of festive cheer and the chance for a socially distanced chat on the doorstep – and sometimes that’s the best gift of all.”

The Christmas Companions event - now in its 19th year - is made possible by kind donations from local businesses, organisations and members of the public.