YORK pensioners still have a chance to attend an early Christmas treat with the Lord Mayor next month after the deadline for applications was extended.

Residents aged 65 and over are being invited to attend the Lord Mayor’s and Sheriff’s ‘Christmas Cheer’ receptions, which take place at the Assembly Rooms on Tuesday December 8.

Two receptions are being held this year, each for 200 people, at 10am and 2pm.

The deadline for applications was originally on Monday but now the civic office has extended it until this Friday to give more people a chance to enjoy the event.

The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Sonja Crisp, said: “I am delighted to host this event and would like to invite those yet to book to do so soon if they would like to attend.

"Christmas is a special time of year and I am looking forward to being part of an event which spreads Christmas Cheer to many older residents in the city as the countdown starts towards Christmas Day.

“With school children from both Heworth Primary School and Huntington Primary School singing carols and the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir announced for the day, it will be a rousing occasion.”

Anyone wanting to attend, but who hasn’t already reserved a place, should phone the Civic Office on 01904 551011 by no later than 5pm on Friday, with tickets allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis.

The receptions are partially funded by York's annual Community Carol Concert, which will take place at York Barbican this year at 2.30pm on Sunday December 20.

Highlights of the concert will include performances by the York Concert band, the Bev Jones Singers, Heworth C of E Primary School Choir, Poppleton Ousebank Primary School Choir and the Steve Cassidy Band.

Tickets cost £7.50 for adults, £6 for OAPs and under-14s, and £24 for families (two adults and two under-14s) and are available from the York Barbican ticket office on 0844 854 2757. Telephone or online bookings may be subject to a booking fee.