A man from East Lancashire, who has become a local celebrity for 'odd jobs' he completes in his community, has appeared on Steph’s Packed Lunch.

Alfie Cookson, also known as ‘The Odd Job Boy’, was given a van on the Channel 4 show as a token of appreciation from people in East Lancashire.

After leaving school in 2014, Alfie found it hard to hold down a job, so set up his own business doing odd jobs around his hometown on his tandem pushbike.

Since then, the Clitheroe lad has become a bit of a local legend and a face that many locals recognise.

Accrington-based Baxenden Car Breakers appeared on Steph’s Packed Lunch to give Alfie the Citroen Nemo van.

They said: “You might not know us but we know you. Here at Baxenden Car breakers, we think it’s brilliant what you’ve been doing for your community so we’ve got you a gift.

“It’s a good little van that needs a bit of work – but I am sure there’s nothing that you can’t sort on it. Hopefully, it helps you along the way and earns you some money.”

Alfie was very appreciative of the gesture and was asked what he plans to do with the van.

“I am going to drive it," he told Steph McGovern eliciting laughter from the crowd.

"This has opened a different dimension now I can go and do anything. I hope I can get a trailer on that, that would be good wouldn’t it? Thank you very much – I appreciate it.”

Alfie rose to fame back in 2018 when BBC Three published a short documentary about him.

After the success of that short, filmmaker Aaron Dunleavy decided to continue following the teenager for the next year, charting his antics as he got banned from the local tip, and really getting to know what makes Alfie tick.

The end result is a new, hour-long feature film, which premiered at The Grand in Clitheroe earlier this year.

Speaking to Steph, Alfie said the BBC documentary “changed [his life”.

He said: “One minute I’m up a ladder cleaning a gutter, the next I’m on Channel 4 speaking to you. It’s an odd job.

“The BBC documentary changed my life. Now I just have to keep going and make people smile while doing my jobs. I want to pursue every adventure.

“I’ve got an old sofa that I can’t get rid of. I am planning on putting it on the back of my bike and ride from John O'Groats to Land’s End for charity.”