A THURROCK pub has been praised for an act of kindness to NHS workers and its gesture has prompted a call to government to keep premises open.

NHS worker Julie Hoskin took to social media to praise the White Lion at Fobbing and landlord and landlady Brett and Jennie Rider, saying: "Thank you to the owners of the White Lion Fobbing. Today they very kindly fed four very tired hungry NHS workers, who sought some salvation in the middle of a very very long week.

"They served wonderful food and drinks (non alcoholic I must add- we were returning for several more hours ) along with this they said a very heart felt thank you to us and charged not a penny. (I actually got quite emotional).

"Your compassion goes a very long way and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support at this tough time."

The pub has been widely praised with some commenting on why local pubs should be allowed to stay open provided they meet health standards, comments typified by: " All the more reason to support the village pub thru these difficult times. These businesses are staring into the abyss. Well done to all."