A COMMUNITY hero stepped in to save the day during the procession on Saturday, ensuring a five-year-old girl could complete her first May Day experience.

When Richard Hamman, who has helped carry the Lady in the Sedan Chair for more than four decades, came down with a back muscle injury as the parade passed the Lord Eldon pub in Tatton Street, a steward took over the role.

Andy Ford donned the costume and proceeded to carry the Sedan Chair – and five-year-old Daisy Wilkinson, who suffers from developmental dysplasia of the hip – for the remainder of the route.

Daisy’s mum Amy said: “Daisy can’t walk very far but wanted to be in the May Day, so we contacted the organisers and they gave her the role of the Lady in the Sedan Chair. She was over the moon.

“I was stood at the Lord Eldon, because my husband James was walking round with Daisy and we were going to swap halfway. I saw them put Daisy down and ran up, thinking there was a problem with her.

“The guy, Richard, has carried the chair for 42 years, and Daisy broke him! Andy came over and said ‘I will take over. Give me your hat and uniform, anything to not disrupt May Day'.”

Daisy was taking part in her first May Day, and was desperate to get to The Heath to see the coronation and the dancers.

Amy said: “At one point I thought we might have to get her out – I could see the tears were about to come.

“She was over the moon when they carried on, and she was really in her element. She is so glad she got round and saw the May Queen.”

Amy is looking to get in contact with Andy to say thank you and ‘maybe buy him a few beers’.