A County Durham restaurant is set to offer free soup and bread to pensioners this December as it looks to 'give back' to the community.

Santinni, based in Shildon, announced on their social media on Tuesday, that they would provide a free bowl of hot soup and warm bread to those aged 65 and over from December 1 until January 2025.

The Italian restaurant will serve the complimentary meal from Monday to Friday between 12pm and 5pm.

In the Facebook post, the restaurant said: "We understand at this time of year with the cold weather some people do struggle and don't always get a hot meal.

"So here at Santinni, it's time to give something back."

Kerry Varan, director of the restaurant, said that the idea came about when an older man was spotted eating alone in the restaurant recently.

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"A customer then came and said they would like to pay for his meal as they felt for him sitting alone," Kerry said.

"Which then got me thinking about how we could just do a little bit to help out the elderly with a hot meal at least once per day if needed."

Santinni plans to advertise the offer on Facebook and around the local area, as they recognise not everyone in the older generation uses social media.

Kerry said: "It's not a lot but at least it's something, we feel like we need to give something back."

The restaurant received widespread praise on social media for its kind gesture, with one commenter stating, "What a lovely gesture."

Another wrote: "I don't live near the place but what an amazing thing to do, you are good people and I will tell my parents and other people about it."

The restaurant also plans to work with the Angel Trust charity to provide meals for the homeless over the cold winter months, which is expected to be fully announced in the coming weeks.