A Lancaster man has shared his story of a Christmas act of kindness to a homeless man hoping it will inspire others.
Ben Hornby treated a busker to lunch, a pint and a few games of pool in a local pub, and then did some shopping for him in Lancaster city centre.
He said the man, known as AK, was so grateful he was in tears and said Ben was the "first person to put a smile on his face this year".
Ben, 36, who lives in Bolton-le-Sands, was given the idea by a post he saw on Facebook last Christmas about a man who randomly paid for a woman's shopping in a supermarket.
"This time last year, I was on Facebook on the Lancaster Past and Present group, and a woman posted a note, which read something along the lines of 'To the gentleman who passed me in the checkout at Aldi and beeped his card and paid for my shopping, that was a beautiful thing you did. I'm so appreciative'," said Ben, pictured below.
"The thread talked about people doing nice things at Christmas, and it really resonated with me. All year I thought, I want to do something like that, I want to do something good.
"A couple of weeks ago I had the idea. It stuck with me. I was going back and forth a little bit. I wondered if it was a bit much and will it go to plan? But I stuck with it.
"I work at the Nat West bank on Church Street and sometimes there are some homeless people that sit outside the back of TK Maxx.
"There was one guy sat out there and I thought this was a brilliant opportunity. So at lunchtime I went over to him and said 'Do you fancy going for a pint and a game of pool, and I'll buy you some lunch?'
"He said 'yeah'.
"So we went to The Bobbin for an hour or so, had a pint and a few games of pool. Then we went up to Greggs, grabbed him a sandwich and a coffee, and from there just to Poundland to pick him up some essentials, he wanted some deodorant and some plasters, I got him a few bags of crisps and a few bits and pieces really.
"Then he met one of his friends just outside Poundland, so I gave him the bag and said 'Merry Christmas' and that was it.
"He said his name was AK. I think he was quite well known. He said he's been in and around Lancaster for the best part of 30 years, busking. He had a guitar.
"I think he was a bit shocked initially. I don't think he thought I was serious when I said 'do you want to come for a pint?' He was pretty quiet to begin with. Then when we started playing pool he started to open up and he was lovely, a really nice guy. He told me a bit about his life, where he'd lived and what he'd done.
"To see AK tearful and hearing him tell me I was the first person to put a smile on his face this year was an amazing feeling.
"I didn't expect how it made me feel afterwards. It gave me a real sense of satisfaction, and proud of myself in a lot of ways."
Ben said he hopes that by sharing his story, other people will be inspired to carry out similar acts of kindness.
"Seeing the post last year inspired me, stuck with me all year and didn't leave me.
"I thought that by putting it out there, if I can get just one other person to do something nice, it will be a win.
"I’m 100 per cent going to do this again next year."
UPDATE: Two men charged with robbery and burglary offences at Morecambe and Lancaster shops
LISTEN: Community garden taking shape in memory of Heysham toddler
Second earthquake in two days hits Silverdale as tremors felt across Morecambe Bay
£2.5m funding boost for Eden Project Morecambe will help create new visitor zone
British Transport Police office returns to Lancaster Railway Station
Ryelands Community Connect scheme aims to bring together locals
Twenty vehicles caught speeding during police crackdown in Lancaster
Councillors call for halt to demolition of vandalised Morecambe 'youth hut'
Coastal pollution clean-up training to be held on Morecambe beach
Man seriously injured at Morecambe pub "making excellent progress" as investigation continues
Vandals target tractors used by King's Guide to Sands of Morecambe Bay to keep walkers safe
MP hopes for improved mobile signal at last as new mast installed in Lancaster
Maternity services at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary officially exit national special measures
Crews tackle kitchen fire in Lancaster
Opening date announced for animal rescue charity's new Morecambe home
Lancaster MP takes on Morecambe 10K in aid of new children's playground
Tributes paid to twice-Lancaster mayor who served on council for 56 years
Dancing Eric Morecambe Statue part of police campaign to warn about AI deepfakes
PHOTOS: Great Wall of China trek raises more than £300K for Lancaster hospice
Another earthquake hits Silverdale as tremors felt across Lancaster and Morecambe Bay
