Trust prepares lunch for 1,500 on Christmas Day

So spare a thought for the chefs at East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust who will be preparing more than 1,500 meals on Christmas Day.

Two teams of chefs will arrive at both the Conquest and Eastbourne District General Hospital at 6am to start preparations.

They will use more than 550lb of turkey, 400lb of roast potatoes, 800lbs of vegetables, 250lbs of Christmas pudding and 1,000 mince pies to ensure more than 1,000 patients are fed.

Around 170 meals will also be prepared for the Rotary Club's Alone at Christmas scheme for local people who are on their own on the special day.

Michelle Clements, the hospital trust's catering manager, said: "We take great pride in making sure all our patients enjoy their Christmas lunch.

"With such a massive quantity to cater for, everything has to be extremely well organised in advance.

"We have a great catering team here and we are well prepared for the hectic day ahead of us."