'Your kindness can make someone feel less lonely at Christmas'

THREE of Britain's most treasured stars are today making a very important call - so millions of older people don't feel lonely this Christmas.

- Giles Sheldrick

Dames Joanna Lumley, Judi Dench and Helen Mirren are issuing a fundraising SOS on behalf of Age UK to make sure frightened and isolated pensioners can get help this festive season just by picking up the telephone.

Actress and Age UK ambassador Joanna, 77, said: "Christmas is a time for celebrations and being together with the ones you love

"But what if you don't have anybody?

"Your kindness really could make someone's Christmas."

The Dames are asking the public to dig deep and help fund three vital phone lines - The Silver Line Helpline, the Telephone Friendship Service and the Age UK Advice Line.

There are 3.2 million people aged 80 or over in the UK. And many suffer in lonely silence as the festivities go on around them.

A heartbreaking statistic reveals 2.8 million older people say the only thing they want for Christmas companionship.