BARNSLEY residents are being invited to ring a bell outside their home on tonight to help beat loneliness this festive period.

The idea was formed by Mary Beggs-Reid who wanted to bring festive cheer to her Harrogate hometown.

Similar to the Clap for Carers event throughout the summer, Mary hopes that people will take to their doorsteps on Christmas Eve to ring bells and applaud – all in the spirit of Christmas.

The event has been supported by Prime Minister Boris Johnson which has seen more than 400,000 responses worldwide.

The Christmas Eve Jingle will take place at 6pm today.