An Irvine mum has lifted her neighbours’ spirits with weekly street bingo.

Diane Cairney, of Mckinlay Crescent, started the community tradition to help people who might be fed up with lockdown.

And the proof of her success is seeing all those who turn out for the game at 6.30pm every Thursday.

Diane, who is an award-winning masseuse, said: “I think if you can put one smile on somebody’s face then your day is worth it.”

Her neighbour, Lisa Stewart, 29, also helped get the street bingo going - delivering the prizes with sanitizer in hand.

It’s free to play but having asked for a donation towards the prize table, Lisa, Diane and her 10-year-old daughter have been inundated with sweets, small gifts, biscuits and bottles of drink.

Diane said: “We had quite a lot on the first night.

“A lot of people have been saying it gets them out and brings them together.

“I started it because I was feeling bored and fed up.

“I thought, if I’m feeling this way what is everyone else feeling like.”

Diane and Lisa went around chapping on doors in the street before retreating to a safe social distance and inviting their neighbours to play.

It has become a real community tradition.

Diane’s dad Bob said: “She does things like this, tried to help people the best she can.

“She’s a single parent, and she went and bought prizes from the shop to help give her neighbours a wee lift.

“I can’t praise her enough for what she does.”

One neighbour said the bingo really cheered her up, as it was a chance to have a laugh and a joke at a distance.

Since they started, everyone has taken part in the clap for carers at 8pm after each game.

Although last week was set to be the nation’s last clap, Diane said she expects the street bingo to continue while her neighbours are happy to come out.

She said: “My next door neighbour lives alone, and the first night she said she loved it.

“So, I thought why not keep it going.

“I know times are hard right now. People have nobody to talk to, they’re feeling lonely, watching the same things on TV.

“It gives everyone something.”

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