Why nine-year-old Isla is a big fan of home shopping driver Paul from Ellesmere Port

Nine-year-old Isla Fearns loves the regular deliveries by home shopping driver Paul Holford from our Ellesmere Port store so much that she made him a special gift box to thank him for "lighting up her week."

Paul, who joined Asda two years ago, always has a little chat with Isla and her mum Jenny when he delivers groceries to the family's home on the Wirral.

Isla said: "Paul is special because near Christmas we went out somewhere and when we came back there was a selection box on the doorstep.

"We were wondering who did it and when he came to deliver we started to talk about it and he said it was him and when it came to my birthday he was delivering round my house and he knocked on the door and got me a Galaxy bar and Oreo Bites, and we talk a lot whenever he comes. He is just very special to me.

"I made Paul a gift box and I bought him some chocolate with my pocket money and wrote him a note to say thank you and when he delivers our shopping it brightens up my day."

Her note said: "I'm doing this because you are the best of all the delivery drivers. Thank you for what you do."

Fifty-two-year-old Paul, who has an 11-year-old daughter Macy, said: "For Isla to say I brighten up her day is lovely. I was really touched when she made me the cardboard gift box with chocolates and sweets inside.

"She always bounds over when I get to the door and we have a chat. She tells me about what she's been up to and what she's been doing at school.

"I love my job – it's great; the best job I've ever had. I like meeting people and having chats with all the customers. If I can make someone else smile and happy then I'm happy."

Jenny got in touch with us on Facebook to say how much she and Isla appreciate Paul's friendly service.

She said: "Paul's been delivering to our house for over a year and he's brilliant. He's a lovely driver. He always takes time to talk to Isla whilst I'm taking the shopping through. He even dropped off some chocolate for her birthday – I think she gave a few hints her birthday was coming up!

"She made a little gift box for him and wrote him a little note and popped some chocolate in. She even paid for it out of her own money."

Karen Clarke, our store's online trading manager, said: "This story is just so sweet. Paul is such a lovely guy, so nice and so chilled. Everybody loves him. He has all the time in the world for his customers."