The walls in the prison remain bare of decorations, the strongest celebratory drink on offer is coffee and inmates are separated from their families with no increase in the usual prison visits.

As we leave our jobs ready for a long weekend to enjoy Christmas, the staff at the maximum security prison will operate as they would any weekend, spending Christmas Day with inmates instead of their own families.

But the confining walls of the prison do not stop some inmates from trying to create a good atmosphere.

When they are allowed out of their cells for general association in the afternoon, competitions in pool and table tennis are organised with prize money given by the prison service up for grabs.

Stuart, a 46-year-old from Bridgend in Wales, is serving an 11-year sentence and was moved to Long Lartin 12 months ago.

He said the competitions help to distract some inmates from what they're missing on the outside, while others, particularly those spending their first Christmas inside, find things more difficult to cope with.

"Prisoners cope in different ways," he said. "You're lucky to get a 'good morning' out of some of them on Christmas Day. Others try to put on a brave face - some people don't show it as much as others. It's hard to put into words, but you can see it in people."

Geoffrey, a 59-year-old from West Glamorgan, is serving a 15-year sentence and has spent three Christmases away from his family.

"There are always queues for the phones, but as long as they're on all day, it's all right. When you know your family is ok, you're ok. On the outside you take things for granted. It's the little things you miss," he said.

Stuart added: "It's not being able to just associate with friends and family, going to see your mum and generally have a family Christmas. In the end you get to look at it as just December 25."

The chaplains and a group of prisoners trained by the Samaritans known as The Listeners are available to talk to prisoners.

Some inmates seek isolation in their cells, watching televisions they rent from the prison with the wages from their jobs.

Stuart finished his job in the print room, re-typing books for visually impaired people, last Wednesday and does not return to work until January 5.

With the money he and fellow inmates on his wing earned, they have bought their own Christmas lunch, which they cook themselves in the kitchen.

The prison also provides special meals on Christmas Day, with soup, turkey and vegetables for lunch, as well as vegetarian, vegan and Muslim alternatives, and salad, Christmas cake and mince pies in the evening.

Prison officer Geoff Ind, who has worked at Long Lartin for 28 years, said staff on the wing were on first-name terms with prisoners.

Stuart added: "They do realise it's Christmas and they try to push the boat out a bit more."

The Angel Tree project, run by the Prison Fellowship and local churches, has also sent 120 gifts from Long Lartin inmates to their children this year.

Prisoners wrote messages which were attached to presents bought by project workers using donations from the public and presented to children as if they had come directly from their father.

Prison chaplain Rev Peter Knight said there was an enormous amount of goodwill towards the prison from the community outside and last week 50 people joined 50 inmates and staff for their annual carol service with the Bretforton Silver Band.

The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby, who is Bishop of Prisons, will also preside and preach at the Eucharist at Long Lartin on Christmas morning.