A mum said she was nearly in tears after a kind stranger paid her entire restaurant bill.

Kimberley Cain took her 10-year-old son and seven-year-old stepdaughter to their favourite restaurant in Liverpool city centre on Saturday night.

The 31-year-old, from Whiston, says their night got so much better when they were placed next to two kind couples in the restaurant.

She told the Liverpool Echo : “I took the kids to my favourite restaurant, Sapporo in town.

“They sit you on a table with other people. It was all very safe and organised and each group was separated by screens.

“Next to us was two couples out together, who were all lovely and we got chatting to them.

“They were all really friendly and lovely with the kids.

“The food was amazing as usual, we stuffed ourselves but still made space for dessert when we’d finished and the kids looked like Bruce Bogtrotter after the chocolate cake.”

Kimberley said that when she asked for the bill at the end of her meal, one of the men on the next table said their meal was on him.

She said: “As I was waiting, one of the men from the couples next to us told us our meal was on him.

“He said it was a pleasure to sit by us and that he’d just like to treat us.

“I honestly couldn’t believe it. Our bill must have come to the best part of £100.

“The waiter came over and said our bill had been paid and that in all of his time working there he’s never had that happen.

“After such a rubbish year, that honestly nearly made me cry, and the kids were genuinely speechless, which is a miracle in itself.”

After the amazing gesture, Kimberley shared the story on Facebook to again thank the man and his family for treating them.

She said: “He didn’t do it for any recognition, it was a purely altruistic and because he had enjoyed our company, which was the best thing about it.

“Despite thanking them several times, I felt the need to share it on social media in the hopes it would find the people and let them know how grateful we were.

“I also thought it would be nice to share my experience because I don’t think positive news is shared enough, and there has been so much doom and gloom this year.

“I was delighted when someone tagged the man in who had paid and that I had the opportunity to express my gratitude again and let him know how much it meant and what a positive effect it had on me and the kids.

“I fully intend to pay this kind act forward and really hope it continues so there are lots more positive stories shared.”