AN unemployed strongman who was hailed a hero during the recent floods has landed a job — after impressing residents with his work ethic.

Man mountain Dan Kenny 'worked like a horse' to help people living in Riverside Drive in Prestolee after the River Irwell burst its banks and flooded houses on Boxing Day.

The 25-year-old from Moses Gate read about the flooding online and went straight to Riverside Drive with friends and stayed there all week for the big clear-up.

The community was so impressed with his tireless work that Mr Kenny was offered several different jobs — and he has now accepted a role with Bolton property restoration firm Heightvale.

Mr Kenny, who is expecting his first child with wife Kim, said: “I was over the moon to be offered jobs and really pleased to accept the role with Heightvale.

“When I read about how bad the flooding was I didn’t feel that I could just sit back and not do anything — I thought there must be something I could do to help.

“I just did what I think a lot of people would do and started clearing up — I am a big guy so I did quite a lot of shifting for people.

“The residents were great. They were really grateful to everyone who went to help out — there was loads of people volunteering.”

The job offer from Heightvale came via Marie Waters, who runs the Stoneclough community Facebook site and had seen Mr Kelly in action.

She spoke with her husband Tony who works at Heightvale and after a brief interview, Mr Kenny was hired.

Mr Kenny, who competes in strongman competitions, had been looking for work for three months before the floods.

He said: “I met with Tony and got offered the job which was great, I think I will be doing quite a lot of the same kind of stuff as I was doing at Riverside as the company helps with clear ups after floods.

Ms Waters added: “Dan asked to join the Facebook group and then just told me he wanted to do anything he could to help.

“Straight away I took to him, he was such a nice chap and so polite.

“Then he turned up with some friends and just worked like a horse all week — he got wet and filthy but just kept going.”

She added: “I told my husband what a good lad he was and he picked Dan up and had a quick chat with him in the car — that was all he needed to offer him the job.

“It is great that the thing that brought Dan into our village and into our lives is the same thing that he will be doing in his new job — he really deserves it.”