A hard-up mum was left speechless by the kindness of strangers who bought her daughter a doll after seeing she could not afford to.

Sarah Jane Donoghue was in the queue at B&M Bargains, in Canterbury, with one-year-old Ellie when the Ben and Holly doll was run through the tills.

But after it came up more expensive than the marked price, the 33-year-old - who cannot work because of her autism - decided against the purchase and they left the store.

However, they were soon followed out by an elderly couple who had seen the dilemma and decided to buy Ellie the £7 toy.

The actions of humble pair, who refused to take any payment, left Sarah Jane, choked with emotion.

"They didn't know us from Adam but it made their day to help us," she said.

"We were speechless and so choked up by how kind and thoughtful they were.

"I gave the lady a hug and couldn’t thank them enough; we even offered them the money as we felt bad but they were more than happy to pay.

"It was such a kind gesture."

Sarah Jane, her partner Jesse and Ellie - who will be two in April - live as a family in St Augustine Court, Herne Bay.

"Ellie is so happy with the toy," Sarah Jane added.

"The couple said they just didn't want her to miss out on having it.

"We'll never take people for granted again. We were sad we couldn't buy the toy and they obviously wanted to help.

"If I never see them again, I want them to know that we really do appreciate what they did."

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