THE force was certainly with a Thurrock frontline care worker on Monday thanks to a surprise 60th birthday visit arranged by borough councillor Qaisar Abbas.

Cllr Abbas has certainly been busy making sure local people get treated a bit special on their birthdays despite lockdown and his latest target was Beryl Jones, a Grays resident currently living in Dagenham where she is looking after her partner.

Beryl is a support worker at a care home in Grays but because she is isolated in Dagenham, her friends and colleagues couldn't wish her a happy birthday on Monday - Star Wars Day, so West Thurrock Cllr Abbas called on his contacts in the Met Police and they arranged a special call to say 'Happy Birthday' on behalf of everyone here in Thurrock.

She was hoping to be enjoying a cruise right now to celebrate her birthday but the booking was cancelled due to COVID-19. Ms Jones' colleague, Ms Lisa Adeniran of Purfleet, asked her local councillor, Cllr Abbas to arrange a surprise if he could to go some way to making up for her being isolated.

Beryl said: "I won't forget this birthday. Thanks to the police for this visit and thanks to Cllr Abbas for organising this."

Lisa added: "Police officers and Cllr Abbas have surely made my and my friend's day very special."

Cllr Abbas has been extremely active during coronavirus, sourcing lots of food and gifts to be distributed to the emergency services – and he also arranged a surprise birthday treat for youngsters Skye Boylan.