A SAINSBURY'S worker who invited a lonely widower to dinner after hearing he had no close friends or family said their ‘date’ reduced her to tears.

Edwin Holmes wore his best suit to have dinner with Sainsbury’s worker Ellie Walker, 22, after she heard the 86-year-old spends most days alone.

3 Ellie Walker invited Edwin Holmes to dinner after hearing the pensioner would be spending Christmas Day alone Credit: Sainsburys press office

3 Former painter and decorator Edwin wore a suit for his 'first date for about 55 years' Credit: Sainsburys press office

And when he turned up wearing a suit and with a bunch of flowers for Ellie she said it reduced her to tears.

Speaking exclusively to Sun Online Ellie said: “He said it was his first ‘date’ in 55 years and he was as nervous as a schoolboy.

“It made me cry because I could see how much it meant to him. For me it’s the most important part of my job to speak with customers and see how their day is going.”

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Ellie who has worked in a Leeds branch of the supermarket for three years, said Edwin pops into the store on most days and chats to staff.

She offered to take him to dinner over the Christmas period after hearing he would be spending the day alone with a ready meal.

Now the unlikely pals meet for coffee and a chat regularly and Ellie says they enjoy each others company.

She added: “He is without a shadow of a doubt my favourite customer.

“He is the cutest man and so chatty. I thought if it was my granddad and he was alone I would want someone to talk to him.

“I see him regularly now and we meet for coffee. It’s nice to be able to chat with him."

3 Edwin even brought flowers for Ellie and the friends now meet regularly for coffee Credit: Sainsburys press office

Former painter and decorator Edwin said: “The dinner made me very happy as it was unexpected and I had very pleasant company.”

The pensioner, who lives in sheltered housing not too far from the store, lost his wife in 2006 after 45 years of marriage.

He has no family in this country as his daughter and two grandchildren live in Australia.

He added: “As for the suit, it was my first date for about 55 years, and I got the flowers because I wasn't going to go empty handed.”

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