Over 1,200 elderly people living in Rushden, no matter what their circumstances, received a Christmas gift from Rushden Senior Citizens' Goodwill Committee on Sunday.

The committee has been organising this Christmas gift scheme for over ten years and during that time thousands of elderly people in the town have benefited.

A committee spokesman told the committee that the gifts were not distributed on a question of need.

"The idea is to give a small gift to people in the town over a certain age to show that we are thinking of them at Christmas", the spokesman said.

Sunday's gifts, which were distributed by street wardens and various helpers, including members of Rushden Rotary and Round Table organisations, contained food items.

In addition to this scheme, Rushden Rotary and Round Table organisations have combined forces this year to distribute food parcels, coal, cash and toys to needy elderly people and young children in the Rushden and Higham Ferrers area.

Last Saturday, Rushden Round Table held its annual street collection in Rushden High Street for its Christmas gift fund and raised over £138.

The collection was centred around a giant fairground organ, operated by Mr. Arthur Mills, which played popular tunes and Christmas carols throughout the day.