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Hundreds of people have praised a group of children after their heartwarming gesture towards a homeless man in Liverpool city centre.

The group of five youngsters spent all Tuesday morning collecting money for the penny for the guy on Lord Street, but then selflessly gave their cash to a homeless man.

They also bought food for other homeless people in the city centre.

A photo posted yesterday by Polly Fontayne on Facebook has since been shared thousands of times, and now the children behind the gesture have been revealed.

One of the youngsters, eight-year-old Stephen Murray, said to the man when they handed over the money "Here you go, because you're saving up for a house aren't you mate."

Stephen, from Speke was with his friends Kaden Roberts, 10, Kennzi Steines, 11, and Abby Grimes, 10 Nathan Grimes, 11 and Lauren Grimes, 15.

Stephen's dad, also called Stephen said: "We knew that Stephen was going to do penny for the guy, but didn't know he was going to town.

"At first I was angry because he didn't tell us he was going to the city centre, but now that I've seen the response from people I'm really proud of him.

"To my knowledge Stephen's never done anything like this before, but he's a really caring boy."

Jackie Roberts who is Grandma to Kaden and Kennzi said: "The boys are thrilled with the response from the public, and never thought it would get this reaction.

"I grounded them because they went to town, but after this reaction it's hard to stay mad at them.

"Over the course of the day I think they collected around £100 and as well as giving money to the homeless man, they also bought food for other homeless people around the city centre.

"I wasn't surprised by their actions though, when we're out in town they're always affected by the homeless and want to do things to help them.

"I'm really proud of them."