A Christmas party was thrown 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 1975, said: "It's really important we give the elderly a chance to get out and enjoy themselves, rather then being stuck at home at this time of year."

Also sitting down with the hundreds of elderly guests were Wandsworth Mayor Councillor Ron Smith and the mayors of Merton, Kingston, Lambeth and Newham.

December 14, 2001 11:00