STAFF at an Otley bakery shop and cafe have been praised for going ‘above and beyond’ in their care for a vulnerable customer.

Ninety three year old Hilda Peters has been travelling in to Otley regularly, virtually on a daily basis, for the last couple of years.

As part of her routine Mrs Peters, who has dementia, likes to pop into Greggs, on Market Place, for something to eat and drink.

As her condition has worsened the team at Greggs have consistently looked out for her to ensure she was safe.

She is now preparing to live in a care home and her family contacted the Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer to put their gratitude to the Greggs staff on public record.

Her grandson, Merle Scott, said: “My grandma is 93 and she has been visiting Otley daily for the last two years.

“She made it part of her routine to stop at the Greggs in Otley.

“Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with dementia and over the last year or so she has declined dramatically.

“But she has still managed somehow to get to Otley for a wander around and to get to Greggs.

“My grandma was burgled twice last year by con men and the lovely staff at Greggs made sure she wasn’t making the wrong acquaintances.

“They would observe her in the cafe and make sure she was okay.

“They knew her by name and always had her chocolate muffin and cup of coffee ready for her.

“As she got worse she would occasionally turn up as they were closing but Rachel, the manager, would still let her in. They made sure her coat was always fastened before she left in the winter and I’m pretty sure at times when she lost her money they made sure she had a hot drink.

“They even made sure her purse was away in her handbag before she left so that nobody stole it.

“My grandma, if she had the ability to understand the care that they provided for her, would be so grateful.

“They have gone above and beyond what is expected of them.”

Mrs Peters, who came to England from Germany as a young woman, did her first parachute jump aged 48 to raise money for charity.

She also received a good citizens award at the age of 90 for her dedication to selling poppies for the Poppy Appeal at Horsforth Morrisons for many years.

Mr Scott, paying tribute to her character, said: “She is due to live in a care home now.

“We would like to highlight how amazing the staff at Greggs have been in making her daily life that bit brighter.”