A pub in north London has been overwhelmed by support after their offer to feed the homeless a Christmas dinner went viral.

The William IV pub, on Shepherdess Walk, Islington, tweeted earlier this week: “This Sunday. We are open to the homless and hungry. Proper xmas dinner. Please spread the word and love”.

The tweet was instantly picked up by social media users, who celebrated the pub’s staff and owner’s actions. It has since been retweeted almost seven thousand times.

Chef and manager Adam Hardiman will offer homeless individuals a full roast, including a carvery of turkey, beef and salmon – with all the trimings from 12 to 3pm this Sunday.

He came up with the idea after wanting to cook for “actual people that need it”.

“I have always wanted to cook or volunteer for the homeless at Christmas. Everybody jumped on the idea in the pub.

“I didn’t expect any of this, we put boards up outside all of the time.

“I know homeless people on the streets here, I asked them to come in please. They were buzzing, they said ‘Are you joking?’”

The pub has subsequently been deluged with offers to help – but Mr Hardiman, 30, said they did not need any volunteers.