This is the heart-warming moment a police officer was caught on camera walking arm-in-arm with an 83-year-old pensioner who was struggling to carry his shopping home.

The image, which has been 'liked' on Facebook more than 400,000 times, was taken by a passer-by and shows PC Chris Stevens of Northamptonshire Police carrying the heavy shopping of an unnamed gentleman in Kingsthorpe.

The pensioner had caught the wrong bus and was struggling to get home when PC Stevens spotted him leaning against a wall.

The image (pictured) which quickly went viral was taken by a passer-by and shows PC Chris Stevens of Northamptonshire Police carrying the heavy shopping of an unnamed gentleman in Kingsthorpe

The picture has been shared almost 40,000 times on Facebook, with many people commending the officer for his actions.

After being brought to the attention of Northamptonshire Police they identified the officer on their Facebook page.

PC Stevens said: 'I saw the gentleman leaning up against a wall, so went over to ask if he was all right.

'He said he'd been in to town shopping but got on the wrong bus and was struggling to get home. So I asked if he wanted some help.

'He said that would be good, so I took his shopping and he held my arm as we walked back to his house and we had a nice chat.

'His wife looked a bit shocked when she opened the door and I was there with him, but he was fine.

PC Chris Stevens (pictured) of Northamptonshire Police said his kind gesture was 'nothing more than any of my colleagues would have done'

'It's nice that the police are getting recognition for doing good things, but it's nothing more than any of my colleagues would have done.

'These things happen on a daily basis up and down the country.'

On Facebook hundreds of people commented on the picture, praising the police officer for his good deed.

Francesca Walker wrote: 'We really appreciate your help PC stevens. So lovely of you. It was my grandad that you helped.

'He is 83 and really struggles with his walking bless him. It was so nice to see him helped out.'

Elliott Marquis Garrott wrote: 'This is absolutely amazing and if more people were like it the world would be a better place.'

Sarah Scorer: 'Well done it doesn't actually matter what job this guy has, he could be anything, what matters is that he took the time out of his day to do something good for another being without a motive, so means he is a decent human being whether he works as a doctor, teacher, cleaner or a policeman is irrelevant, we just need more DECENT people about.'

The officer then wrote on Facebook: 'Hi Francesca. It was my absolute pleasure to meet and in some small way help your grandad.

'He is an absolute star and had me smiling for the rest of the day.'

Francesca replied: 'Ah thank you again, your an absolute star! I'm guessing he would of been cracking jokes to you the whole way home with his Irish humour!

'He's got a heart of gold & so have you for helping him. I'm visiting him & my grandma in the morning so I'm sure they will be telling me all about it. Thank you again on behalf of all of my family x.'

In April a teenage Aldi worker said he was 'blown away' by the public reaction after a picture of him carrying a 95-year-old pensioner's shopping home went viral.

Christian Trousedale, 18, walked the elderly man to his front door, holding his hand as they made their way to his home in Horwich, near Bolton.

His act of kindness was seen by Samantha-Jayne Brady, who stopped them to take a picture which she then posted on Facebook.