PEOPLE across the country will be on their doorsteps singing next week – and Winchester Radio will be providing a backing track to local residents.

At 5:30pm on Sunday December 20, the 94.7FM station will play a Christmas soundtrack for residents to sing along to.

Presenters are hoping everyone in the district will join in ‘Carols on the Doorstep’.

Anna O’Brien, chairman of Winchester Radio said: “We love hearing from our listeners, and 2020 has shown just how important human connection is to all of us. "Our volunteers have worked tirelessly to help people feel socially connected and up-to-date with support information throughout the pandemic and we know how much people have struggled with not being able to see family and friends this year.

"It is fantastic that listeners from the Chat-Tea Café have suggested Winchester Radio bring people together in Christmas spirit through these ‘Carols on the Doorstep’.

"We want as many people as possible to join in and help share some Christmas joy."

Tun in locally on the radio at 94.7FM, online at winchester.radio, or via the UKRadioPlayer app.

Patients and NHS staff in the Royal Hampshire County Hospital can also tune in through the bedside Hospedia units around the wards.

Debbie Deeney, one of the organisers of the ‘Chat-Tea Café’ which in normal times would run activities each month at Badger Farm Community Centre in Winchester, for anyone feeling lonely or isolated said:

"We were sad not to be able to do our regular tea and chat and Christmas Lunch this year but want everyone to know they are part of a community at Christmas.

"It was a local resident that brought the ‘Carols on the Doorstep’ initiative to my attention, and I felt it would be great to tie this in with the incredible radio station on our doorstep that supports the community all year round."