A Newsquest title in the West Country enjoyed a novel way of keeping cool during the warm weather - they pretended it was mid-December and organised a Christmas party, complete with trimmings.

The editorial team at the Plymouth-based Sunday Independent were not all able to join in the fun of the company's traditional seasonal frolics because of work and personal commitments, so originally they decided to just have a meal together in the summer.

But when someone made the booking at the journalists' popular Seven Stars watering hole at Tamerton Foliot, they were asked what the celebration was and someone joked 'Christmas!'

What started as a light-hearted riposte later turned into a bizarre experience when their hosts, Roger and Jenny, laid on a full roast turkey dinner, with all the seasonal trimmings, plus Christmas pud.

There were even Christmas crackers, jokes which even Jethro would have discarded and party hats.

Deputy editor Nikki Rowlands said: "The other diners must have thought we were a little mad, but we all had a laugh and enjoyed a lovely meal."

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