The Salvation Army has highlighted the scourge of loneliness at Christmas, with a poll showing nearly half of UK adults saying they felt lonely at some point.

A fifth of those questioned said they didn't feel they had anyone to turn to.

The poll commissioned for the Salvation Army also found that almost three-quarters of people said they worried about someone they knew feeling isolated and lonely.

Spokesman Andrew Wileman said: 'No one should feel alone at Christmas and certainly no one should feel they have no one to turn to. Older people, especially, face added barriers when it comes to engaging with their communities; illness, mobility, disability – these can all prevent people from seeing family and friends.'

He stressed the need to find 'community connections' and be good neighbours, starting conversations with people, offering practical help and volunteering for befriending schemes.

'Above all – don't pass people by,' he said. 'We'd encourage anyone who's worried about someone being lonely or alone this Christmas not to pass them by – find more information or help by contacting a local Salvation Army church or community centre, or get advice from organisations such as Age UK and The Silver Line, both of which offer a telephone advice line.'