A Wimbledon milkman has been hailed a hero for helping a ‘very frightened’ Wandsworth resident after she was burgled.

Ian Beardwell, who works for milk&more in Gap Road, discovered a wide open front house door in Southfields where the lights were on at 4am on November 13.

Victim Sasha Rickerd and her young daughter were awoken by someone breaking into their home, and turned on the lights to warn the burglars there were people inside the house.

Mr Beardwell rang the doorbell before asking victim Sasha if she was okay, before offering to stay with her until the police arrived.

Mr Beardwell completed his milk round and circled back to check in on Sasha ten minutes later.

TV producer Sasha said: “Ian was extraordinarily reassuring and simply lovely.

“Moments like this can feel unbelievably lonely and vulnerable, especially as my young daughter was with me, but Ian completely understood that I was frightened and went out of his way to help.

“His presence made a horrible circumstance immeasurably better and I cannot thank him enough for taking the time to help us - complete strangers to him.”

This is not the first time he has helped people in the community, as he has apparently found lost cats and dogs, returned a lost laptop found in the road, and chased car thieves.

Mr Beardwell said: “I was happy to help Sasha, just as I hope anyone would have done.

“I understand that these kind of situations can be very scary and am just happy that she and her daughter and now safe and well.”

Milk&more operations manager Trevor Sayer added: “Ian’s actions are emblematic of all that the milkman does and should do for the local community. As well as providing a friendly face, caring ear and dozens of daily essentials, milkmen also regularly go above and beyond to help customers and other members of the public.

“They are an integral part of the community. I want to take this opportunity to thank Ian for his exemplary actions and Sasha for taking the time to bring this to our attention. Well done Ian.”