A RUDHEATH taxi firm is putting a smile on travellers’ faces by going that extra mile on airport runs.

Drivers from Deans of Northwich have been greeting weary holidaymakers with essential groceries as they take them home on the last leg of their travels.

Each passenger is presented with a pint of milk and loaf of bread to welcome them back home.

Tracy Dean, 47, who runs the business with her husband Allan, said: “It’s just a small gesture, but it really puts a smile on people’s faces.

“I know when I come back from a holiday the first thing I want to do when I get home is have a cup of English tea and a slice of cheese on toast.”

And it’s not gone unappreciated by the company’s customers who’ve taken to Facebook to sing the firm’s praises.

Geoff Davenport wrote: “Back from hols in Fuerteventura. Four hours delay, 11.5 hours waiting for luggage in Manchester. The only shining light to journey home was Deans Taxis who were tracking us for 5.5 hours and had brought us bread and milk on our return at five in the morning.”

Susan Cain wrote: “Thank you to Deans Taxis for airport run. Arrived back late last night with complimentary bread and milk such a nice extra touch and good friendly prompt transfers both ways.”

The idea first started when driver David Hulme joined the company, based on Heathcote Gardens, back in 2016.

Tracy said: “It was something he’d picked up on a training course and started to do on his own initiative. Our airport customers really appreciated it.”

Last year Tracy decided to have some branded carrier bags made and rolled the offer out to all the firm’s airport customers.

She said: “Sometimes our customers might have had a delayed flight, or just won’t have thought about picking up a few essentials for when they get home so it’s a nice surprise for them.”

It’s not the first altruistic act the family business has carried out for their clients. Each Christmas Tracy presents those she describes as ‘regulars’ with a box of chocolates.

She said: “It’s just another way of saying thank you to customers for continuing to use our services.”

Launched in 2000 with Allan behind the wheel and Tracy manning the phones, Deans of Northwich now boasts a team of seven, including the husband and wife team.