The owner of a new restaurant in Oswaldtwistle is serving up free Christmas dinners to vulnerable people in the community this Christmas.

Meal Preps opened in Oswaldtwistle five weeks ago and aims to promote healthy eating by serving freshly made, balanced meals.

The owner, who has asked to remain anonymous, decided to run a communal Christmas meal because he felt like it was time to give back to the community.

Meal preps are hosting a free Christmas meal for the homeless, needy, lonely and elderly. Making Christmas special for everyone.

Staff will be able to serve up to 20 people in one serving and is committed to feeding everyone who arrives.

The kindhearted owner said: “There are more homeless people now than ever before and times are the hardest they’ve ever been, so I hope this also inspires other businesses to do the same.

“Charity is a big part of being Muslim. I do try and help homeless people when I see them so hopefully this event will do just that. If a thousand people come then a thousand people come, we’ll serve them.

“We’ll have a lot of people working that day, a lot of my family members will be and some people on Facebook have even offered to volunteer which is great.”

The meal will include a starter, main, dessert and hot drink and food will be served from 12pm to 6pm on Christmas Eve.

He added: “If the shutter’s not down then you can come in, we will feed you.”

The business only opened five weeks ago, so this is the first time the owner is running a scheme like this but says he is committed to continuing supporting the community and hopes it will inspire other businesses to do the same.

The meal will include a starter, main, dessert and hot drink and food will be served from 12pm to 6pm on Christmas Eve.

He added: “If the shutter’s not down then you can come in, we will feed you.”

Booking is not necessary and the owner is encouraging people to spread the word so anyone who is homeless, elderly or just lonely on Christmas can eat for free and socialise with others on Christmas Eve.

Meal Preps is located in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle and is open from 10am to 7pm Monday to Saturday.