The Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Jeremy Thorn, attended a Christmas party for pensioners from across south London at the Central London Golf Centre, in Tooting, on Sunday.

The event was organised by the charity Age-Link, which holds monthly outings for the elderly and housebound.

Guests tucked into a Christmas dinner, with all the trimmings, before they were treated to an afternoon of entertainment, including Irish and Hawaiian dancing and carol singing.

The day was topped off with a surprise visit from Father Christmas, who spread some extra seasonal cheer by giving gifts to all the pensioners.

Raj Balraj, who founded the charity in Ealing in 1975, said: Its really important that we give the elderly a chance to get out and enjoy themselves, rather then being stuck at home at this time of year.

Wandsworth Mayor Councillor Ron Smith, Merton Mayor Councillor Stuart Pickover and Lambeth Mayor Councillor Claudette Hewitt also attended.