This “guardian angel” watches over his 80-year-old neighbour with true dedication. Bill Edgar-Allinson is like a second son to next-door neighbour Peggy Forster of Gainsboro Grove in Fenham.

The pensioner suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease, and her daughter Alison Sinton lives in Cramlington, and son Robert lives in Wide Open.  Although they try to visit as often as possible, it is Bill who looks after Peggy on a daily basis - and her family cannot thank him enough.

Alison said:

“I nominated Bill on behalf of my mother, because without Bill, her life would be a very different story.

“Every evening he makes sure she has taken her medicines, prepares an evening meal, and even takes care of her washing.

“Any task that needs doing in the house is taken care of, from changing a light bulb to looking after the heating and any other DIY or decorating that needs to be done.

“He also finds time to take her shopping and on occasion takes her out to dinner or to see a show.

“He looks upon her as a dear friend, and never a burden to him. He has loads of patience and never tires of hearing the same stories over and over again from my mother!

“Life for her would be so lonely without him popping in regularly during the evenings. Bill is a veritable guardian angel and I cannot thank him enough for lightening our load.”