A WARM-HEARTED community group for people in sheltered housing is celebrating its fifth birthday today.

The bingo-mad Crofters group, named after its regular haunt Lerwick Croft Community Hall, near Bicester, currently has members aged two to 94.

It was launched in 2011 by local woman Nicolette MacKenzie, and organising the group has become a full-time pursuit for her.

She said: "Initially I started it because no- one ever used the hall, so I decided to do something with it.

"There was a bingo group on Friday but only with two or three people.

"Now we have four sessions a week and about 25 people come on a regular basis."

Over the course of an average month the Crofters will enjoy coffee mornings, bowling, karaoke, pub quizzes and fish and chips – as well as the obligatory bingo.

An 'around the world in 80 meals' challenge is also in progress and each month the group samples cuisine from a different part of the globe, most recently the Caribbean.

Miss MacKenzie added: "I want more people to be aware of it. Lots of people haven't got family – it's such a fantastic group."

Anyone interested in joining Crofters should call Miss MacKenzie on 07719 923952.