A hiker arranged a group ramble for those who may have been spending Christmas Day alone.

Jay Mistry, from Huddersfield, donned the outfit of Santa Clause as he and 25 "lovely" people hiked from Keswick to Cat Bells.

It all started two years ago when Jay arranged a Christmas Day hike to the top of Scafell Pike, he took a chance and posted an open invite on social media, to which 7 people turned up.

The environmental engineer's family goes on holiday at Christmas time, making him realise that there must be so many others in a similar situation to him at this time of year.

Jay said that the first group hike back in 2019 was a great day but "very difficult", especially dealing with the heat dressed as Santa for 8 hours.

"I wanted to make this years walk a bit easier and accessible," he said.

The groups hike this year was met with "amazing" weather, comradery and even a bit of snow.

Last year, unfortunately due to Covid restrictions, Jay took to climbing Mam Tor alone making this years hike all the better.

"Christmas can be one of the loneliest days of the year. It's important that we support each other.

"The pandemic's shown how much pressure is being placed on people's mental health and how much loneliness is out there. Its made people feel very isolated I think.

"It's something to do and helps get the Christmas spirit out there," he said.

The messages of support have been flooding in for the hiker, to which he describes the reaction having been "crazy" this year.

Getting into hiking was a way for the 35 year old to lose weight but now says it helps benefit his mental health.

He is no stranger to the Lakes describing it as his "second home", often basing himself in Keswick.

"People say I should move up here because I spend that much time up here, it's my favourite of all the national parks," he said.