Dinosaur Olivia Heeley's roarsome exercise routine brings smiles to streets of Preston

Olivia Heeley, who has just celebrated her 17th birthday, has been putting smiles on everyone’s faces by roaming the streets of Preston dressed as a dinosaur during her daily exercise.

The teenager bought the roar-some costume last year for her little brother’s party, and decided to put it to good use to cheer up passers by during the coronavirus lockdown.

She has been inundated with social media messages as people share their appreciation for her humorous efforts.

The health and social care student, from Waterloo Terrace, Ashton-on-Ribble, added: “ I’ve had it for a while and thought why not just go out and make everyone laugh?

“I’ve had floods of messages, too many to count, and people requesting videos.”

Olivia and her family moved to Preston seven years ago from the Midlands.

Her proud mum Tara, who is a care worker at Ashley Rest Home, said: “It’s gone viral.

“We’ve had requests for videos and even from a local nursery wanting the children to see her walk past.

“The amount of support is overwhelming.

“I’m very proud of her.

“She loves bringing smiles to everyone’s faces.”

Olivia will be celebrating her birthday with a family meal - followed by a birthday outing in her costume.

It is certainly a source of amusement for her younger brothers Joshua, 13, and Riley, eight, who loves dinosaurs.

Many other reports have emerged across the country of people dressing up for their daily exercise or food shopping to cheer each other up during the lockdown, including postmen.