BIG-HEARTED teenager Michael Lanham has been recognised as its Community Hero by the new Asda store at Barons Quay.

Michael, 19, heads out every Friday and Saturday night after finishing work at the Northwich Sports Bar to hand out hot food to homeless people.

He also stops to chat to see if he can help find them somewhere warm to stay for the night.

Asda launched a search to find a Community Hero who has gone out of their way to help others, inviting nominations for people whose good deeds may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

A large number of people put forward Michael for the award, a £200 in-store voucher for him and the causes he supports.

One of the people who nominated Michael, Wendy Harrison, said: “Michael is a credit to the town, and an excellent role model to the younger generation.

“He regularly attends charity events to raise money for various causes, and will go out of his way to help anybody.”

Asda general store manager Katie Coburn said: “We want our store to be at the heart of the community, and couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate that than acknowledge a person who goes the extra mile to help others in the local area.

“On behalf of the whole Asda team we’re so proud to have Michael as part of the local community, and want to thank him for all he has done.”

Michael was invited to the store, along with his parents Rachel and Dave, to receive his prize from Deputy George and GM manager Annabelle Wharton.

Michael said: “It was fantastic to win the award, and I was amazed when I was told how many people had voted for me.

“My parents were shocked but really pleased for me.”

Michael is a student at Mid Cheshire College, and works in the kitchen at the Northwich Sports Bar.

He said he was inspired to support those in need by his parents, who volunteer for Age UK in Hartford.

We featured an article in the Guardian recently on Michael’s help for the town’s homeless people.