A kindhearted mum was landed with cooking Christmas lunch for 70 people.

Natalie Lek, pictured, of China Street, Church, came up with the idea of making and delivering free dinners to the poor and elderly just a few days before Christmas and posted the generous offer on Facebook.

Within hours, the mum-of-five, who loves cooking, was ‘overwhelmed’ with responses, before setting the limit at 70 lunches.

She has now enlisted pledges of support for food and donations from friends, supermarkets and staff at Accrington Stanley.

Natalie, 34, said: “I was going to be on my own at Christmas and I thought I might as well cook.

“I put it on Facebook saying if you were struggling then I would cook you a Christmas dinner for free. It just went huge. By Saturday I had about 40 people and by Sunday we were up to 70 and I had to put a cap on it.

“I wanted to do this big Christmas dinner for people that couldn't afford it.

“It was truly overwhelming the support I’ve got and all these people wanting to get involved.

“It’s become this big community thing.”

Natalie, who is currently studying law at Bolton university, started cooking the meat on Monday in her kitchen and was set to prepare the potatoes, stuffing and desserts on Christmas Eve before waking up very early on Christmas Day to make the other vegetables.

The food was due to be delivered to homes across Hyndburn, Blackburn, Burnley and the Ribble Valley on Christmas Day between noon and 5pm with volunteers helping to serve it to people in need.

Natalie received food items like mince pies and parsnips from friends, foil trays and other equipment from Asda and donations from Accrington Stanley’s director of youth Peter Davies.