It's a festive job that some of us enjoy and others may dread.

But as shoppers sought out those all-important Christmas gifts, there was some seasonal salvation as members of Lowestoft's churches lined up and helped to wrap presents for free.

The volunteers, from Christians Together in Lowestoft and District, were out in force in Lowestoft town centre as they gave shoppers a helping hand with their Christmas present wrapping.

With the group providing this popular service – with all the effort, paper and labels provided free of charge – once more, the 11 members of Lowestoft's churches braved the cold to spread some festive cheer to shoppers yesterday (Saturday).

Offering the wrapping service for free from their stall in a marquee outside Starbucks in London Road North, Major Jenny Barwise, of Salvation Army Lowestoft South Citadel, said it is their way of giving something back to the community.

She said: 'On a very cold day it was lovely to have new volunteers and there was a real friendly feel as we reached out to the community by wrapping several presents of different sizes, shapes and value.'

With shoppers able to bring along any sized parcel to be wrapped, a range of items were dealt with in.

Major Jenny Barwise added: 'We wrapped presents for a variety of people in the community – from those of school age, right up to pensioners. We had two Ipads to wrap, several boxes of chocolate but not anything unusual this year.'

Each present wrapped came with its own message, as every person who used the free service was given information about the local churches.