A KIND-HEARTED Runcorn baker dubbed a community hero has been lifting people's spirits during lockdown by sending them sweet treats and leaving flowers outside their doors.

James Quigley from Quigley's Bakery, Grangeway, has been feeding houses on his estate, providing free food to Asda's night shift team and has provided afternoon teas to care homes from the beginning of isolation.

James, who was meant to be having a well-deserved rest in Benidorm last week, works around the clock every day to make sure people are catered for, said: "I do a lot of outside catering but, as everywhere is shut, I thought what can I do? So I started doing vulnerable food.

"We've got the food so might as well give it out."

Every Tuesday he provides food for between 70-100 houses which takes him around five and a half hours.

"One lady said she only knew what day it was as she sits and waits at her window for me to arrive. Any tiredness you may feel vanishes when you realise that you are providing people with some comfort and company."

He has also sent food such as meat pies and sausage rolls to Asda staff to help them through their gruelling shift: "I go every week to Asda and some of the people get treated horrible so I also sent flowers to cheer them up."

Praising all his good deeds, Steph from Grangeway Community Centre in Runcorn said: "He has been feeding nearly an entire estate with free food from day one of the coronavirus pandemic. This fantastic local shopkeeper needs recognition.

"I think it would be a great idea to have a plaque made for his shop - something this hero truly deserves."

To keep the kids stuck at home entertained he is also running a drawing competition where they can draw things such as the NHS and rainbows, with whoever wins receiving a £50 voucher for WH Smith amongst other things.

The winner of the competition will be announced this weekend.