A DREAM has come true for a toddler who got to meet the binman who makes his day and sit in the driving seat of the lorry.

Every Tuesday toddler Corey Clark runs to the window as the bin lorry arrives in Stanley Street to get a wave from his favourite binman.

The simple act of kindness prompted mum Sara Jayne Clark to post a picture of her son and the binman on the Worcester News Facebook page to find the binman and praise their efforts.

Within minutes, followers of our page managed to identify the man as Pete Blake, a binman with Worcester City Council for eight years.

And today the Worcester News organised a special visit from the bin lorry so the 20-month-old could meet his idol and, for a special treat, sit at the driving seat of the waste collection lorry.

Miss Clark said her son's fascination with bin lorries had started when he got a toy version free on a children's magazine.

The 26-year-old, who handed Mr Blake a box of chocolates, said: "Corey's dreams have come true, meeting his favourite binman and also getting to sit in the lorry.

"It was fantastic, he was so happy. As soon as he heard the lorry coming down the street he was excited.

"The binmen are fantastic, they come around every week rain or shine and they don't get the credit they deserve.

"The whole team are cheerful but Pete stands out because he always wears a green cap.

"Pete said he tries to wave to everyone and it makes his day as well to see the children waving at him.

"Every Tuesday, as soon as Corey can hear them coming down the street he is banging the window and shouting - he gets so excited."

Cllr Simon Geraghty, Worcester City Council leader, paid tribute to the crews.

“Our waste collection team work very hard to provide an essential service to city residents and they always approach their job in a cheerful manner.”

Worcester News readers: Why we love our binmen

There has been an outpouring of praise for the city's binmen after our initial appeal went online.

Here is what readers are saying:

Rachel Rothan: Worcs bin men r really friendly the other week my 4 year old started school & the bin man who does my road said to me my son looked really smart in his uniform. i thought it was really lovely & it made me feel prouder.

Emily Rice O'donnell: Jimmy Oakley has always made our children smile and wave! Nice to see happy bin men. They entertain the kids. X

Kathryn Blakeley: Worcester bin men are always cheerful, friendly and polite. We are really lucky here

Wendy Malin: When I lived in Bromwich Road the binmen used to look out for my son each week so they could wave to him, stood at the window. Always made our day x

Shelley Matthews: The binmen in the Rainbow Hill area very helpfully fussed my puppy when I was socialising him so he wasn't (and still isn't) scared of the bin lorry and men in yellow jackets.

Vicky Sollis: The bin men who cover St Peters are all lovely. They always used to give my kids a wave each week when they were small & gazing out of the window at them.

John Webb: Our local binmen who cover the Ombersley road area would always wave and smile at my kids when they were younger too. It is surprising how much the kids appreciate that kind of thing.

Rebecca Katie: I'm sure this is the same man who waves at my son and makes a huge effort to make him laff pullin faces and getting out to have a chat with him about school etc we live London road so cud we be the same friendly man x

Sye Davies: The lads who do drakes broughton are the same. Would always wave to my little lad. Hes at school now but i still see them waving at other toddlers in the street.