A Cricklade family who had to choose between heating and eating after bills soared were delighted when an anonymous stranger delivered 500 litres of oil for their heating tank.

Last week Stepdad-of-three Harry Lay, 36, told how rising oil costs forced him and wife Kittie, 36, to rely on food banks to feed their kids - despite both having jobs.

READ MORE: Cricklade dad forced to use foodbanks despite working full time as bills double

Harry was speaking after it was announced cost of living had risen at its fastest pace in nearly 30 years in the 12 months to December.

But he was gobsmacked when an anonymous stranger sent 500 litres of fuel - enough to heat their cold home for up to three months - to their home.

The mystery delivery came just days after their tank had run dry - and the parents "wanted to cry" at the kind favour.

Harry said: "These days, we don't have a single penny spare, not even down the back of the sofa - and our oil had just run out.

"We have been in complete and utter despair since the prices started to rise.

"So we were very confused when the truck turned up and started filling our tank.

"I told them they'd got the wrong house and we hadn't been able to refill it, but I was told 'it's definitely for you'.

"We both just wanted to cry at the time - we couldn't believe it.

"We have no idea who it was, but we can't thank you enough."

Harry said nobody from their family has owned up to it - leading him to believe it was the work of kind strangers.

And he plans to continue campaigning for change in the hope that one day, he can pay the favour forward and help someone else.

He said: "Whoever did that for us, we can't thank you enough.

"We both just wanted to cry with happiness at the time.

"It's my goal to continue this campaign because it's not just me pleading poverty - this is the reality for millions of others and I want to see real change.

"I want to pay the favour forward and work to help others in our position, like someone did for us - this shouldn't have needed to happen.