CUSTOMERS have come together in support of a beloved supermarket employee who they say brightens up their days with his exemplary service.

Elise Dixie, 35, from Stanway made a Facebook post about Aldi worker Luciano Marino’s kindness to see if others felt the same way.

And there was an avalanche of support.

Elise said: I have only lived in Colchester for two years but when I first visited the store, I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly, approachable and enthusiastic he was.

“Since then, I can honestly say that every time I have seen him in store, he has genuinely brightened my day.”

The post has been liked by more than 320 people, with more than 220 commenting with their personal stories.

Luciano Marino, 57, of Rowhedge Road, said he was humbled by the praise.

He first moved to Colchester in 1982 from Calabria in South Italy and expresses his gratitude to the Colchester community for giving him a better life.

He said: “Growing up was very tough for me as we were poor, we didn’t have electricity until I was nine and we didn’t have a TV until I was a teenager.

“I now have the strength to be positive and help others because of what I’ve been through in my childhood., I’d like to be the positive change in the lives of others.”

Luciano worked for the Mercury Theatre in Colchester from 1990 to 1996 and has worked in catering after that.

He moved back to Colchester in June 2018 and started working at Aldi.

Luciano has volunteered for charities like Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. As a big Formula One fan he used to go to races every year to collect money for children.

He recalls meeting famous names like Gordon Ramsay at Silverstone during his charitable work.

He added: “When I first heard about the Facebook post I thought I had done something wrong and didn’t know what to tell my wife, but she knows my character.”

“I would like to thank the Stanway community for their kind words. I never thought I would be featured in a newspaper.”

Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond to make life better for others? If so, contact us by emailing gazette.newsdesk@newsquest.co.uk.