CLARETS star Danny Ings left supermarket charity champions gobsmacked when he donated hundreds of pounds to a cancer appeal for one of their colleagues.

The England under-21 international was shopping in the Tesco Extra store in Centenary Way on Friday when he handed over £660 in cash to workers raising money for one of their colleagues.

Staff had been wearing green, blue and pink hairpieces to raise awareness for Shirley’s Wig Fund, in aid of Shirley Davies, who works in the store’s restaurant and is battling cancer.

They took to social media to thank the 21-year-old, who left the store to use a cash machine and returned with the generous donation.

Tesco spokesman Mark Thomas said it was ‘a grand gesture’.

He added: “The collection was to support Shirley buying a wig to help her get through the cancer treatments. She is a much-loved colleague and so far her fundraising has totalled £1,300.

“Everyone has been blown away be the generosity of customers and colleagues, including Mr Ings.”

Danny, Burnley’s top goalscorer in the promotion-winning season just gone, said: “I went in there and saw all of the people wearing funny hats. I went over to ask what they were doing and they said they were collecting for charity.

“At that point I said I was more than happy to help and went out to the cash machine. I hope it’s good news for the lady involved.”

In another act of kindness, the striker surprised a customer at the Sycamore Farm pub in Empire Way, Lowerhouse, by paying for her meal.

Mr Ings’s friend, Rebecca Jane, tweeted: “The best weekend with literally amazing people. Highlight @IngsDanny buying an old lady dinner in Sycamore.”