WHEN Mark and Carol Bradley moved into their new house a year ago, a friendly neighbour helped them feel at home from day one.

Since then, welcoming neighbour Simon Astill has continued to brighten up every day with his friendly chatter and helpful nature.

Mr Astill, of Colburn Avenue, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, regularly wheels his neighbours' bins to the roadside for collection and returns them to the back garden to keep the footpaths clear.

The 43-year-old, who has learning difficulties, has even shifted snow and gritted the driveways of homes in the cul-de-sac on harsh winter days.

His kindness has spread throughout the town, where his smiling face is well recognised as he helps keep the neighbourhood clean and tidy by picking up litter and collecting dumped bottles and cans to be recycled.

Mr Astill said: "I enjoy keeping busy and being out and about, and it is nice to help people."

Mrs Bradley, a teacher at St Teresa's Primary School, Darlington, nominated Mr Astill for The Northern Echo's Neighbours From Heaven scheme, which rewards people who make our communities nicer places to live.

She said: "It make such a difference to have someone like Simon who always thinks about us. He was so welcoming from the minute we moved in, we feel like we've lived here ages."

His mother, Anne, said: "I was gob-smacked when Carol and Mark thought of Simon for the award. I've always tried to help people and I'm very proud of the way Simon has followed the example his dad, Keith, and I have set.

"Being helpful and friendly is in his nature."

Mr Astill will receive a Neighbour From Heaven certificate, known as an outstanding behaviour special award (Obsa) - the opposite of an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo), and could win a cruise.

Entries for the competition closed on June 1 so Mr Astill is one of the last nominees to be featured.