CUSTOMERS have been hailed 'Christmas angels' for coming to the rescue of an elderly gentleman struggling to do his shopping.

Amanda Liggett noticed a man having problems in Morrisons in Middlewich on Sunday.

"He was shaky and couldn't drive his mobile scooter very well," she posted on Facebook. "I asked if he was Ok, helped him with his items and took him to the till.

"He must have said 'thank you' a million times. Luckily, I decided to wait as he seemed jittery. I asked him how he was going to get home. I suggested I might drive him but he didn't know where his home was."

The gentleman was unable to remember his pin number so his bank card was refused.

Amanda and another customer immediately paid for his shopping and Morrisons checkout assistant Catherine Markey alerted management in the store for help.

Catherine said: "I served this poor soul and to say it was heartbreaking would be an understatement.

"He was having trouble with his cards and shaking so much, so to ease the situation I called over my supervisor to lessen the distress for him."

Morrisons staff made enquiries and discovered that the man had only been rehomed at Willowmere Care Home in Middlewich the day before and had become disorientated.

Amanda added: "The man then explained that he is one of the homeless that came from the big fire in a Crewe home and he was sent there yesterday and didn't know the area at all."

Around 123 residents lost their homes after a blaze gutted Beechmere residential complex in August.

A manager in Morrisons took the man to his new home at Willowmere after staff helped him to relax with a cup of coffee and repaired his mobile scooter.

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Northwich Guardian:

Morrisons staff helped the elderly man to relax with a cup of coffee, repaired his mobile scooter and took him home

Michael Redford, director of customer service delivery at Your Housing Group, which runs Willowmere, said: “The community spirit and generosity that has been shown to all of our residents from Beechmere has been wonderful. It’s great to see people looking out for each other and as always, Your Housing Group is here to offer support and assistance where we can.”

The Good Samaritans and Morrisons have been praised for coming to his aid.

Andrea Lewis said: "This post has made me cry. Bless you Amanda and Morrisons for helping him. It's heartbreaking to see elderly people struggle like that."

Lorraine Nightingale added: "That was a lovely thing to do. You should be very proud of yourself."

Shelley Hopkins said: "You and the other lady are true Christmas angels."

Mike Langford added: "Thank you very sincerely to those who helped the gentleman - your kindness and caring make Middlewich a great place to live."

Ruth Lancaster said: "Incredible generosity and hearts full of kindness. You gave this man the greatest gift of all when he needed it the most - your time. Bless you all and well done Morrisons."

A woman who knows the gentleman says he is fine now and settling into his new home.

Hazel Faddes said: "He is a lovely man who has just moved to independent living. Moving to a new place he will need time to adapt and this would be the first time he went shopping for some time.

"Living independently means he can go out as he pleases and when he gets used to a routine he will cope with shopping for bits he needs.

"I have been to his new home and the staff are extremely caring and compassionate."