This Morning presenter surprises shoppers at our Byker store

Look who called into our Byker store to surprise customers and chat to colleagues – This Morning presenter Alison Hammond!

Alison was at the store as part of the programme's Cash Cow feature where she pays for lucky customers' groceries.

Alison said: "It’s a lovely feeling to meet the people of Newcastle, and to top it off by buying their shopping was just brilliant. With all the sad news going on, it's great to spread some love and happiness by picking up customers' shopping."

ITV This Morning star Alison Hammond with Asda Byker customers Pat and Carol — Alison with Pat and Carol

Mum and daughter Pat and Carol were particularly thrilled when Alison paid for their shopping – because it was just in time for Pat's 70th birthday.

Pat said: "I thought it was a joke at first – it's absolutely brilliant! It's a really nice surprise, and just in time for the family party we're having for my birthday."

Customer Elaine has a real family connection with the store – her brother Bill and sister Linsey both work there.

ITV This Morning star Alison Hammond with customer Elaine at Asda Byker — Alison with Elaine

Elaine said: "I'm emotional, grateful and thankful. Both me and my husband are full time carers, so never have free time or money. I'll use the money saved to take him out for a meal."

Marion, pictured below, also had her shopping paid for. She said: "This is a great feeling, I'm not a lucky person so this is fantastic. I'm going on holiday in May and want a new outfit, so the money saved will be going towards that."

Customer Marion with ITV This Morning star Alison Hammond at Asda Byker — Marion and Alison

Alison also surprised married couple Dot and Colin, who visit the store three times a week. Dot said: "We're going on holiday in two weeks, so this will help pay for that."

ITV This Morning star Alison Hammond with Asda Byker customers Dot and Colin — Dot and Colin with Alison

Alison also chatted to colleagues at the store and posed for selfies with them.

The store's customer and people trading manager Katie Newman said: "It was lovely having Alison in the store with us, and our customers were so delighted when she jumped out to surprise them and pay their bill.

ITV This Morning star Alison Hammond with Asda Byker colleagues

"A TV star with a credit card in hand is probably the last thing you expect to see when you pop to the supermarket, but our customers were certainly delighted!

"The event put a smile on everyone’s faces. We can’t wait to see some familiar faces on TV."