Holiday at Home, at St John's Church, Hemel Hempstead, entertained nearly 30 local people too frail or unwell to travel for a break.

George Court, 90, of Gravel Hill Terrace, said: "It's been a lovely four days.

"Its like a holiday but without the trouble of arranging to go away and you get to sleep in your own bed!

"Lots of people who come live alone and it's good to get out and spend time with people."

Around 40 volunteers from the church in Boxmoor helped with transport, cooking and activities from Monday, August 4.

Holidaymakers have enjoyed craft afternoons, films, walks in the church grounds, a sing-a-long and a visit to Dunstable Downs.

Volunteer Jean Garner said: "It's for people who can't get away, so it's mostly people who are housebound, disabled or partially sighted.

"We pick them up and drop them home, they get a nice lunch and tea and there's different activities each day.

"The idea is to get people out of their homes.

"They've been a lovely group to look after. They were very happy to be here."