Second jab joy for popular Standish resident

The Covid vaccine rollout is going well, and a much-loved resident has given a thumbs up and a big smile after getting his second jab.

Eric Whitter is well known for waving at passers-by from his home in Almond Brook Road, Standish - and his choice of colourful shirts.

He saw some familiar faces and bumped into doctors who have come out of retirement to administer the vaccine at the vaccination centre in Wigan.

His friend and helper, who preferred to not be named, said: “Eric was in good spirits and brightened everyone’s day when he removed his coat to reveal one of his bright Hawaiian shirts!

“Eric said he was very grateful for all the volunteers and NHS staff who are working so hard to get everyone vaccinated.

“He says he feels ‘more confident’ now that he’s had his second injection.

“Eric knows that it makes sense to have the vaccine to give him the best chance if he was ever unfortunate enough to catch COVID.

“Hopefully, in a couple of weeks, we will all start to see Eric out and about within the village.”

Eric added that he forgets to keep a safe distance between others and asks for all his friends to help him with this by maintaining their distance when chatting with him if they see him.