A GRANDAD has finally met his great-great grandson in a sweet moment after not seeing anyone in person for more than a year.

Ninety-four year-old John Edwards was overjoyed to see five-month-old Freddie Jones from Kearsley, for the first time ever after the pandemic forced him to isolate for 18 months.

John and Freddie became instant friends as the grandad tapped his feet and played with him.

Emma Wolstencroft, John’s grand-daughter, was visiting with her daughter, Chelsea Wolstencroft at his home in Walkden.

Emma said: “We kept it quite small because it was my grandad’s first time in 18 months meeting people in his home.

“My grandad was tapping with his feet and Freddie was copying him, it was like they were not strangers at all and Freddie was really happy to be in his company. He loved it and kept saying he was a great-great grandad and how it makes him sound old. Because he still doesn't think he’s old.”

Chelsea gave birth to Freddie on April 26, but the youngster could not meet his great-great grandad as he was still shielding from Covid-19 due to his age.

Emma said: “We’ve all had our vaccines so we wanted to spend some time with him and his wife, Sheila. We didn’t want to overwhelm him though, so only three of us went and it was lovely to see them together."

Mr Edwards did not even leave the house for medical appointments during the last year.

Emma said: "It’s been difficult for us all but when I rang him, I knew he was safe, and he has always been really good spirited. Because he’s diabetic he had to shield as we were all scared, he may get Covid.

Pre-pandemic, Emma saw her grandad once a month. But afterwards she could only have brief conversations by his window, where she could drop off Christmas and birthday gifts.

Mr Edwards was a lance corporal in the army at 18 and joined the Navy in 1947, going to India, Malaysia, Bermuda and the USA. He later worked as a bus driver.