A CLOSE bond between a checkout operator and a young customer has been celebrated at a supermarket.

Three-year-old Ciaran Hay has been visiting Dunbar’s Asda store with his family on a weekly basis since he was born.

During that time, he has formed a friendship with Ann-Marie Davidson and loves to show her a different toy each week, putting it on the till for her to scan before stopping for a chat while she scans the rest of the shopping.

Ann-Marie, who has worked at the Asda Dunbar store since it opened 14 years ago, said: “I’ve known Ciaran since he was a baby and he is just the loveliest boy. He always brings a toy for my conveyor belt which I pretend to scan.

“If there’s a queue he will stand and wait for his turn to come and speak to me. He really is lovely.”

When the family called in shortly before Easter, Ciaran noticed Ann-Marie was not at her usual till.

Ann-Marie’s colleagues told her how much Ciaran missed her, so she made him an Easter hamper and organised a visit from the Easter Bunny for his next trip.

She said: “I heard that Ciaran was upset because he missed me and I felt bad, so I made him and his brother Connor a little Easter basket with treats and bubbles.”

Ciaran’s father Niall told how staff made sure the weekly visits to the store were enjoyable.

Niall said: “It’s not easy shopping with a three-year-old who just wants to run around and explore new things but Ann-Marie has made it easier for me to load all the shopping and get things done while still doing her job.”