A WINDOW cleaning firm brought some cheer across the city with free services for frontline workers and the elderly.

Albion Window Cleaning launched a competition last month to offer 50 free cleans to people who were most deserving.

The firm, run by friends Pete Blakeney and Greg Grundy, asked for nominations on their Facebook page for community heroes who deserved a bit of help.

Last week, as scorching temperatures arrived in Sussex, Pete and Greg were out with their team to give the free cleans.

Meanwhile the team also collected for the Martlets Hospice in Hove to raise awareness of charities losing funding from donations.

Pete said his own grandparents were looked after by the hospice and he has run three marathons for it in the past.

He said: “It was really motivating to do the free cleans yesterday.

“It really brought the Albion Window Cleaning team together and made so many people happy which is a lovely feeling.

“It was like going back to normal work and it was very hot.

“Since lockdown began to ease business has been OK, but we are hearing about more people losing their jobs, which has hit us a little.”

Pete, whose business is based in Portslade, said during the lockdown he had to wind down his operation but he was able to continue to see some residential customers.

He said: “The reason why we came up with the idea was because I was asked to clean the windows of an elderly lady on her 98th birthday.

“She has been housebound, but after cleaning her windows she can now at least see the sunshine.

“We wanted to know of anyone who is deserving, people who are helping others and pulling together.”

He admitted it has been a tough time for his business, with commercial contracts being cancelled and staff on furlough.

Pete and Greg also had to seek help from the

Government’s self-employed scheme.

But he is now hopeful that business can return to normal and even has plans to launch a service into Worthing as well.

Visit the Albion Window Cleaning Facebook page for more information.