Coffee, cake and a chat are the heart of a new weekly event aimed at bringing together the community.

Berry’s in Brampton is encouraging people who live on their own or who feel a bit lonely to pop in for a chat on a Thursday.

Loneliness and isolation affect many people across the country but particularly older people living in rural areas - it was this that pushed the tearoom owner to set-up the scheme.

Lesley Berry, the owner of Berry’s, said: “Everybody has a next-door neighbour or a gran, grandad, auntie or even someone who has just moved to the area.

“We thought if we start it up on a Thursday between 10-12, you can pop along for a cup of coffee and you never know, they may end up striking up a friendship with somebody that does a woodwork class once a month who says ‘do you want to come?’”.

The tearoom announced the plans on Facebook where the idea was embraced with open arms.

It was shared more than 120 times, liked more than 100 times and people left encouraging words for people who might want to go but possibly lacked the confidence.

She has also had more support for the scheme in person from regular customers.

Lesley said: “It’s lovely, just that paying it forward - it’s just lovely because it’ll come back somehow.

“Loneliness is the biggest killer but it’s also the confidence they need to get out.

“Even if it gets just one person out of the house and a new friend, then fantastic.”

Anybody and everybody are welcome to pop along to Berry’s between 10am-12pm on a Thursday to spend some time with members of the community.