Superheroes bring smiles and cheer to the people of Leftwich

Each evening, Batman, Spiderman, Captain America, Black Panther and Deadpool can be seen roaming the streets and leaving a palm tree in the garden of a different house.

The receiver can then add something to the tree, which will be whisked away by the caped crusaders and moved to a new location.

And the quintet are more than happy to spend time posing for pictures and bringing happiness to the lives of local children.

After being tracked down by the Guardian, Batman said: “We found a palm tree in a skip on day around the time that coronavirus started poking its ugly head up.

“That’s when we started going out at night putting it on different people’s driveways, as we thought most people won’t be going on any holidays now.

“We were dressed in black and balaclavas so people couldn’t see us, but as we looked a bit dodgy and for a bit of fun, we decided to start doing it in superhero costumes.”

Since then, after receiving positive feedback from the local community, the superheroes have set up a Facebook group where people can post pictures of the palm tree when it turns up at their home.

And this group now has more than 400 members, with residents asking the heroes to visit certain houses to cheer up kids on their birthdays, the elderly and people with disabilities.

“It’s got everyone talking and people have even talked to us about it not knowing that we’re the superheroes,” Batman continued.

“We just want to lift the spirits of people who are stuck at home and feeling down and to bring a bit of excitement into people’s lives.

“We never thought it would have got as big as it has. It’s gone crazy.

“One night, we visited a woman who had recently lost her son and the smile on her face and the faces of kids in the area was worth a thousand words.”

Word of the superheroes has spread far and wide on social media, and Batman says that even Boris Johnson has asked for a visit.

But for now, the Prime Minister will have to wait, as there are still plenty more homes that the heroes are yet to visit in Leftwich.

“We’ll carry on as long as people are enjoying it and want us to, and hopefully we can have a big party for everyone to attend when lockdown restrictions are relaxed more where we can reveal our true identities,” Batman added.

“People have started leaving us presents like crates of beer, which is really nice, but it’s not what were here for.

“The plan is to set up a donation page where people can give something to charity instead.”

The Guardian has been inundated with messages of support for the superheroes, and two Leftwich residents who enjoy seeing them roaming the streets are Stephanie Konca and her daughter Lillie.

Stephanie said: “The superheroes of Leftwich need a huge shout out for the amazing time and effort they put in to lift everyone’s moods and keep kids and adults entertained during lockdown.

“The palm tree is getting bright and colourful now and the children and adults are loving it.

“These guys are true superheroes who need big credit, so thank you to them.”