SANDWICH shop staff are clubbing together to create a Christmas hamper for a special customer.

Archie Taylor, 80, visits Subway in Northwich town centre every day for his lunch since the death of his second wife.

Archie, from Barnton, lives alone and is registered disabled as a result of injuries he suffered in a road accident three years ago.

He is full of praise for the welcome offered by the Subway staff since he started coming to the Witton Street branch in March.

The caring attitude of the Subway team was noticed by a customer, who contacted the Guardian to praise the staff.

Archie’s second wife Sybil died on New Year’s Day, and he decided to have his lunch at the sandwich shop as a way of getting out of the house.

The welcome he received has seen him become a regular, enjoying a half a sub sandwich seven days a week.

“The staff are brilliant and see to my every need,” said Archie, a retired bus and HGV driver.

“They are very friendly, and it has become a home from home for me here. They go out of their way to make me feel comfortable.

“I live on my own since Sybil died, and the lunch I have here sees me through until tea-time.

“I like the food and the atmosphere, and nothing is too much trouble for the staff, who help me out to my car.”

Staff member Sue Goldsmith, from Winnington, said the staff had decided to create the hamper after missing Mr Taylor’s 80th birthday.

“He’s a wonderful gentleman, and sometimes we sit and have a chat with him,” she said.

“We expect to see him every day, and get concerned if he doesn’t come in.

“We were chatting about how we should have got him something for his 80th a few months ago, and decided to club together for a Christmas hamper.”

Mr Taylor was overwhelmed by the hamper surprise.

“It’s a lovely gesture, and something I will never forget,” he said.

The customer who contacted the Guardian said: “Every day an elderly disabled gentleman comes for his lunch. The staff take time to chat to him, and make sure he gets to his car OK.

“This is a fantastic example of a caring community. It costs nothing but can mean the world to someone, and it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.”