Rishi Sunak visited a Northallerton care home and helped elderly residents decorate the Christmas tree.

The Prime Minister and MP for Richmond chatted with residents and staff and even handed out cream cakes and tea during his visit to Beechwood Care Home, in Romanby Road.

A group of residents from fellow Hill Care Group home, Sycamore Hall Care Home, in Ripon, also came along to meet Mr Sunak.

Darlington and Stockton Times: PM Rishi Sunak handing out cream cakes to residents at Beechwood Care Home

Resident Margaret Smith, 87, who gave him Christmas cards made by residents, said: "I am glad he liked the cards.”

Mr Sunak also wrote a festive message to residents and placed it in a bauble before hanging it on one of the care home’s Christmas trees.

Residents Penny Tyreman, 85, Jean Spiller, 87, and Juliet Riordan, 82, joined in with dressing the tree.

Darlington and Stockton Times: PM Rishi Sunak with Beechwood Care Home resident Juliet Riordan, 82

Joanne Porter, activities coordinator at Beechwood Care Home, said: “It was such an honour to have the PM visit Beechwood.

“The team were thrilled to meet him. Our staff members from overseas were especially impressed as the PM took time to chat to them.

Darlington and Stockton Times: PM Rishi Sunak with residents and staff from the Hill Care Group's Beechwood and Sycamore Hall care homes

“The PM was very patient and kind with Juliet as he helped her to put her chosen bauble on the tree.”

Residents and staff presented the PM with a Bettys gift box, plus a watercolour painting of a Christmas tree by resident Maureen Brooks, 87, a lifelong artist.