HOMELESS people were given a festive feast by swapping their usual soup for turkey, thanks to Darlington catering students.

Dozens of people who visit the soup kitchen in The Basement, at Grange Road Baptist Church, enjoyed a tasty treat after Darlington College of Technology NVQ level one catering students prepared and served them with Christmas dinner.

"It was absolutely brilliant. Fabulous," said Darren Cummins.

"The soup is great, but this was much nicer and I wish they would do it more often. I loved being served as well."

Darlington College tutor Clare Mitchell, who teaches weekly at the Grange Project, said: "Pat Sludds, who runs the soup kitchen, asked me to put on a meal so I thought it would be nice to do a Christmas lunch."

Mr Sludds said: "I am delighted with what the college has done for us. It was a proper Christmas lunch and I was amazed at how professional the students were.