A birthday boy with a big heart celebrated his 60th by offering a free hug to strangers for each year of his life.

Harish Chavda teamed up with campaigners from the #Hugs4Harrow project, who offer free hugs to people across different areas of the borough, to attend the Under One Sky festival at Byron Park, Wealdstone on September 21 to ensure he redistributed all his good will to passers by with a warm embrace.

The event tied into the borough’s celebration of being a part of London for 60 years.

The holistic therapist, of Rayners Lane, said: “It was a real surprise just how many people said they really needed a hug.

“I think people are really dying for human contact. It makes my Giving Back 60 Project even more necessary.

“I hope people celebrating the 60th anniversary of Harrow will consider doing an act of giving as a way of celebrating”