Two little children have formed an adorable friendship over a fence as coronavirus isolation continues.
Heidi Burns, 4, and Jack Featherston, live two doors down from each other but had never met before.
The pair of little ones, who live in Westhoughton, have had to stop going to their baby groups and nurseries because of the coronavirus.
Instead, they have been playing alone at home, missing special time playing with their friends and grandparents.
But as the sun came out last week, an unexpected friendship flourished between the two children.
The pair spied each other playing with their families in their front gardens and leapt at the chance to chat to each other over their garden fences.
Jack's dad David told the M.E.N: "The weather was unusually nice and we were playing outside with Jack. Heidi was playing outside with her parents.
"They spotted each other and they probably spent half an hour standing on chairs chatting over the fence."
Mr Featherston, a photographer, ran inside and grabbed his camera to mark the special moment.
He said: "They talked about their favourite toys, ice cream, Heidi's baby brother. They were hiding and popping up over the fence.
"They really wanted to play together but we had to say 'Heidi is in her castle and you are in your castle.'"
The pair even exchanged tips on how to stay safe as the coronavirus outbreak continues.
Mr Featherston said: "Heidi went inside to get this bottle of pink hand sanitiser that her mum had bought for her. She was telling Jack to make sure he washed his hands."
The families made plans on the spot for Jack and Heidi's next play date.
Heidi's mum Ruth said: "They just saw each other and seemed to have no filter. They started shouting at each other through the fence.
"The parents were texting each other so they could meet the next day as well.
The kids themselves have also made big plans for when they finally get to play together properly.
Mr Featherston added: "Jack and Heidi talked about what they wanted to do when they could actually play together which was to have ice cream and pudding."
For the two children, the new-found friendship could not have come at a better time as they have had to get used to not seeing their friends and family.
Mr Featherston said: "Jack usually goes to baby groups which he's obviously not attending those at the moment so he is short of friends to play with.
"He can't see his grandma and we have been having to explain the he can't see her."
But, for parents and children alike, Heidi and Jack's friendship has brought the neighbourhood closer.
Ms Louka said: "We have been living here for around a year and I have never really spoken to the neighbours, it's so nice that people are coming out of their houses and speaking to each other."
