Residents on a Congleton road came together to celebrate a little girl's first birthday with a special social distancing community street party.

Mollie Hughes turned one on Sunday and her parents Gemma and Dean wanted to make sure she enjoyed her big day whilst adhering to the government's social distancing guidelines.

After reaching out to the community via social media, the Hughes' were delighted to see so many houses on Maxwell Road come out onto their front gardens with balloons and banners put up for Mollie.

Mrs Hughes told Congleton Nub News: "We all sang happy birthday to Mollie and it was really nice to see the community come together and lift people's spirits at what is a difficult time.

"Mollie had a great day and we decorated her highchair with balloons, I am so thankful for everyone who turned out, we have such kind and wonderful neighbours."

Homeowners on Maxwell Road have been having weekly 4pm street chats from their front gardens on Fridays and Saturdays during lockdown, but they were all out in full force again for Mollie on Sunday from 2pm to 4pm.

Mrs Hughes hopes that communities continue to stay close-knit once the coronavirus pandemic restrictions are slowly lifted and after moving to Maxwell Road last May, she appreciates the people she lives around.

The 28-year-old added: "We've lived in Congleton for three years in October and we never really got to know our neighbours previously, but this pandemic has brought us all closer together and I hope everyone maintains that community spirt once this is all over.

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"It has made me realise that I can rely on my neighbours for anything, they are such a supportive bunch.

"It would be great if our street made this an annual occasion, it doesn't have to be for Mollie's birthday, but I know as a street, we've all enjoyed getting to know one and other. I just hope that continues."

The street party also enabled the Hughes' to belatedly celebrate their other daughter's birthday, Phoebe turned four on 23rd March, the day which Prime Minister Boris Johnson implemented the country's lockdown. As a result, Phoebe's birthday party had to be cancelled.

The Hughes family were able to give Mollie a freshly made personalised birthday cake after Rachel Davies, a local cake maker got in contact and delivered the goods straight to their doorstep.

Turning one is a special moment and as a parent you want to capture it with a family photo, which you can then show your child as a memory when they get older.

A photographer, who also lives on Maxwell Road, got in contact with the Hughes' after seeing their post on social media and offered to take a picture of the four of them in their back garden on Mollie's birthday.

Mrs Hughes concluded: "It was amazing to see the community rally together to ensure Mollie had a special day, and I cannot thank everyone enough.

"There were dog walkers walking past and joining in the celebrations and we even had a surprised visit from someone dressed up as a bear.

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"It just goes to show that you don't need to spend money to enjoy yourself, you've all the company you need with your neighbours."