Deadpool is walking around this Doncaster village to raise spirits during lockdown

Locals in Edlington have spotted the distinctive anti-hero patrolling the streets during the coronavirus lockdown.

But there’s nothing to fear.

For big hearted Dean Ashbridge has been donning the famed red and black costume of the Marvel Comics favourite to raise spirits among villagers and local children during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Comic and super hero fan Dean, 45, who lives in the village said: “The idea was given to me by somebody who saw me out in my mask.

“I have been building my suit to go to the local comic con which was cancelled due to the virus so I thought why waste it?

“I went out in just the mask initially just to maybe raise a smile.”

But then Dean, of Victoria Road, decided to step up his dressing up – by donning the characters full costume, complete with weapons.

He said: “The response has been absolutely overwhelming.

“I went out the first night to see the reaction and then people started asking me to visit their street, so next I'm planning routes so I can cover the village which I have done once and now started again.”

Dean is using his tours as his permitted daily exercise – and ensures he’s following rules on social distancing.

He said: “I've been delivering drawings to children with birthdays and such as well as some personal video messages for parents separated from parents due to quarantine

"I use Deadpool just because he's just a little bit different to your average superhero and it appeals to my humour and personality.

The character first appeared in 1991 in comics and was depicted as a supervillain, but later evolved into his more recognizable antiheroic persona.

Actor Ryan Reynolds has portrayed the wise-cracking and fast quipping character in a number of smash hit Hollywood box office movies including Deadpool and Deadpool 2.