HUNDREDS of social media users have shown their support for a generous gesture to warm up elderly Darlington residents struggling to support themselves because of bad weather.

The owners of the Grey Horse pub, in Haughton-le-Skerne, Darlington, have offered to deliver free roast dinners to those living in the Haughton village area who may be house-bound this week.

The pub at the heart of the village used Facebook to spread awareness of the offer with their original post being shared more than 1,000 times and liked by nearly 600 people.

In the post, management for the Grey Horse said: “Do you have any elderly or less-able friends or family in the Haughton village area that may not be able to get out in the snow?

“We will deliver them a free roast dinner every day we have snow between 12pm and 2pm.

“Please ask them to call us on 01325-465402.”

Many social media users have congratulated staff on the kind-hearted offer of delivering food prepared in the pub's kitchen.

One social media user said: “Well done, that’s great true community spirit,” while another added: “That’s amazing, well done Grey Horse, it certainly restores your faith in humanity”.

The pub has stated it is only able to deliver to elderly or disabled residents in the immediate Haughton area, but has urged other Darlington pubs to “follow suit and the whole town can pull together”.

Speaking on Thursday, a pub spokesman said: "In terms of take up, we delivered 35 meals yesterday and we are looking at nearly 50 today."