A pub in Dartford has gone viral following its efforts to help vulnerable residents during the height of the beast from the east.

As the UK was battered by snow and wind last week, the Horse and Groom pub in Wilmington found a way to make life a little more bearable for those feeling particularly affected.

The pub posted on Facebook on March 1 an offer to anyone in need to join them in house a homemade meal.

In full, the post said: "Due to the inclement weather conditions, we would ask anybody with elderly relatives, neighbours or friends (OAP's) who may be struggling, to come join us at The Horse & Groom and warm the cockles with our Lamb Navarin Stew."

Residents were also offered the chance to arrange free delivery of the stew if they couldn't manage the cold to get to the pub in person.

The post, which has been shared nearly 400 times, had hundreds of comments praising the pub for its kind gesture.

Sarah Prockter on Facebook wrote “I cannot thank Paul and his head chef Laura enough. I phoned them tonight with a request for food for a 91year old couple opposite me and they delivered without fail. The couple were so pleased and grateful. The kindness of The Horse and Groom is amazing. Thank you.

Kay Syrocki said: "What a lovely gesture. You restore my faith in humanity."

General Manager Paul Giles said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the response our offer has had, which has been wonderful. We’re very appreciative of the community of Wilmington and the surrounding areas, who support us 365 days of the year.

“For us to do a small gesture like delivering a hot dinner at home during this snowy weather is just a small way of us giving back to the locals who mean so much to us here at The Horse and Groom.”