A worker who came to the aid of a lost pensioner has been hailed Britain’s kindest security guard.

Gareth Gore went out of his way to help the stranger after seeing him lost and alone in Bolton town centre.

Big-hearted Gareth, a security guard at the town’s Marks & Spencer, spotted the distressed elderly gentleman wandering outside the store.

The man, who suffers from dementia, had become separated from his wife after she had a serious fall during a shopping trip.

After unsuccessfully scouring the streets to find the man’s wife, Gareth dialled for police and helped locate the injured woman, who had been rushed to Bolton Royal Infirmary.

But the security man went beyond the call of duty and – his shift having finished – took it upon himself to drive the husband to the hospital.

He then waited an additional hour until the woman had been released so that he could take them both back to their car, located in the town centre, where he gave them directions to the motorway and saw them safely on their way.

Gareth, who is employed by security firm Securitas, has been stationed at the Marks and Spencer’s branch for six years.

And his exemplary behaviour has seen him nominated for the British Security Industry Association’s ‘outstanding act’ award.

Chloe McGuirk, a senior manager at Securitas, said: “We are proud to have Gareth as one of our security officers.

“It takes a very genuine and compassionate person to go out of their way to assist in the way he did.

“I am sure this couple and their family, along with Securitas, will never forget what he did.”

Gareth said: “I am surprised, yet thrilled that my instinct to help has led to such an accolade.

“I am just happy that I was there on the day to be able to give assistance.”