Christmas lunch a hit with locals

Charlene Chase, 17, left, and Rashellyn Chase, 2 at the Rotorua combined church Christmas lunch today Photo/Ben Fraser

Christmas is finally here, with hundreds of people turning out to the Rotorua Combined Church Christmas Lunch today.

About 500 people gathered at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre at midday today to celebrate Christmas with music, good company and plenty to eat.

Pastor Dave Moore said the day was about gathering together as a community to celebrate.

"We don't want people on their own for Christmas. We've done our best to accommodate everyone."

With about 100 volunteers helping out, dressed in Christmas colours, the annual event saw a vibrant and packed house.

Volunteer Charlene Chase, 17, said she wanted to spend Christmas helping those in the community.

"My family and I really love doing something to help the community and we often get involved in events like this. It's nice to be able to give something back to the community, especially since giving is what Christmas is all about."

This is the fourth year the combined churches have held the lunch and the second year it has been held at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre (formerly the Convention Centre).

For the full story see tomorrow's Rotorua Daily Post.