A YOUNG man with a passion for shredding paper was de-'lighted' with his VIP role at a Barrow bonfire event attended by thousands of people.

Daniel Teare was invited to start the Hawcoat Park Sports and Social Club's Bonfire, using bin bags full of his shredded paper as kindling.

The 22-year-old got into shredding paper a decade ago. Since then he has gone through around 30 standard shredders and now he has an industrial shredder at his Barrow home.

Daniel has cerebral palsy, autism, Addison's disease and he is registered blind. His mum, Janet Teare, said he finds shredding paper therapeutic.

His shredded paper is given away to people for pet bedding. When Mrs Teare placed a post on the Barrow Seek and Sell Facebook page, Hawcoat Park Rugby Union, who run the bonfire event and fireworks display, got in touch.

Carmen Sayle, of Hawcoat Rugby Union, collected the shredded paper and got chatting to Daniel and his mum. She gave them a free family pass for the event and on the night Daniel helped the stewards to light the bonfire.

Daniel, who attends Chatsworth Crafts, has been invited to come back next year.

Mrs Teare said: "It was amazing and it really made his day to start the bonfire. He loves fireworks too and he is still talking about it.

"He was absolutely chuffed. He has never been asked to do anything like that before.

"Daniel is infatuated with shredding. He would shred 24 hours a day if you let him.

"We have gone through so many shredders over the years, probably 30, so we have an industrial one now. He enjoys it and it is therapeutic for him.

"We give the paper away to be used for pet bedding, we always have a supply."

Mrs Teare said at nine-months-old Daniel got meningitis and septicaemia. He suffered brain damage and was on life support in hospital in Manchester.

She said: "He is lovely and is always smiling."

His favourite items to shred are Argos catalogues and leaflets, but he wont shred newspapers as it makes his hands dirty.

Anyone wanting to use the shredded paper can message Mrs Teare via the Barrow Seek and Sell Facebook page.

WITH VIDEO: Residents enjoy a cracking night out at fireworks shows