WINCHESTER University will open one of its campus cafes on Christmas Day.

The café will run from 9.30am to 12.30pm and will serve free coffee, tea and cakes.

This is the first time the university has opened its doors and encouraged people, who may be alone, into its building on December 25.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Liz Stuart, who will be running the café, said: “Christmas is a special time of year, but it can be a lonely and difficult day for many. As a university we value compassion and see radical hospitality towards those in need as an important part of what we do.

"This is the first time the University of Winchester will be running the Christmas Day café. Our hope is that it will become a tradition to serve people in Winchester each year.”

The Learning Café is located in the main building of the University, king Alfred Campus, Sparkford Road, SO22 4NR (opposite the pedestrian entrance to the West Hill cemetery).