Remember the elderly this Christmas, says Alex Salmond

The First Minister is urging people to take time to visit older relatives or check on elderly neighbours over Christmas.

Alex Salmond made the call as he visited a day centre in Edinburgh where he handed out gifts and chatted with a group of older people.

It comes afer the WRVS highlighted the fact that as many as 10,000 over-75s in Scotland say they will spend Christmas Day alone this year.

Speaking at Lifecare’s Dean Club in Stockbridge, Mr Salmond appealed to everyone to offer some company to older people.

“Centres like this do a great job. But maybe each and every one of us could do something this festive season. If we all just dedicated ourselves to see just one person over and above the family, then we could make a big difference to that. There’s nothing like a bit of company to cheer folk up.”