A leading UK charity has launched a campaign to help elderly people enjoy a happy festive period.

Help The Aged's One is the Saddest Number campaign has indicated that while many consumers prepare to spend time with their families over the festive period, as many as one million older people face the prospect of spending Christmas Day alone.

As such, the charity is raising money to bring a range of products and services to elderly people this Christmas, such as establishing mobility, security and transport projects, as well as providing day centres and other facilities with additional funds.

Anna Pearson, policy manager for social inclusion commented: "There is no substitute for human warmth and contact and our aim with this campaign is to ensure older people no longer feel abandoned by society."

Help The Aged reports that pensioners make up almost a fifth (18 per cent) of the population of the UK.