A Christmas tradition stretching back 44 years looks set to come to a close - because it is out of date.

The annual festive lunch for pensioners in Colchester - organised by the Palmer Brothers Trust - will not take place this year.

And a question mark hangs over its future in the next millennium.

Organisers say it is a victim of changing times and the meal is not needed because pensioners are treated to Christmas lunches elsewhere.

Fred Palmer, a retired scrap metal dealer, of Cambridge Road, Colchester, started the tradition in the 1950s at Colchester Corn Exchange with his late brother Jack and three friends.

The idea was to give something to people who had very little money and could not afford a slap up meal.

Over the years it grew in popularity and was often held at Colchester Town Hall with civic dignitaries present.

Last year Mr Palmer was awarded the MBE for his good work.

Today he explained this year's annual meal had been scrapped in favour of more day trips for pensioners.

He said times had changed and old people did not need the lunch now as they were invited to other meals with organisations like lunch clubs.

Mr Palmer added: "They were getting spoilt. The money will be much better spent on day trips in the summer."

He said it was not clear if the lunch would ever take place again but its future would be discussed by the Trust next year.

As well as organising the annual dinner, the Palmer Brothers Trust always used to deliver hundreds of food parcels to the needy each Christmas and organise trips for pensioners.

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