WINCHESTER University is offering a warm welcome to local people on Christmas Day when it opens one of its coffee shops.

The Learning Café is open from 9am-1pm on Monday December 25.

Everyone is welcome to go along for free refreshments, company and conversation.

"We hosted our Christmas Café for the first time in 2015 and hope that it will become an annual tradition for local people to join us here at the University on Christmas morning," said Prof Elizabeth Stuart, deputy vice-chancellor, who is running the café.

"Although Christmas is a very special time of year, it can also be a difficult time for many people. As a university, with compassion as one of our core values, we consider hospitality towards our neighbours and the local community an important part of what we do."

The Learning Café is located on the top floor of the University Centre, opposite the pedestrian entrance to the West Hill Cemetery, on the King Alfred Campus, Sparkford Road, SO22 4NR.