Two men in Stockport have been delighting neighbourhoods by dressing as Spider-Man while out and about.

Known as the “Stockport Spider-Men” sightings of the superhero during the coronavirus lockdown have been entertaining children and family alike.

Jason Baird, 34, from Manchester, runs Jason Baird’s Black Belt Academy in Stockport.

He said his colleague Andrew started the craze by dressing up as the beloved character on a live video call to some of their students.

The next day Andrew went around his estate in the same costume, so Mr Baird decided to help out by borrowing an outfit from one of his friends.

The pair are now going on their daily runs dressed as their alter-egos, with requests coming in droves on their Facebook group.

Jason Baird in the stockport area as spider-man
Jason Baird in the stockport area as spider-man (Paul Husband Photography)

“All my neighbours on the street, they’ve got teddy bears of Spider-Man in the windows, they’ve Sellotaped Spider-Man masks to lamp posts,” Mr Baird told the PA news agency.

“It’s nice to see because it’s keeping me happy and sane as well. I went through a bit of a wobble. It’s keeping me busy and active.”

The duo have only been running as Spider-Man since Monday, but have already accrued a following in the hundreds.

“We had the whole family at the window waiting for Spider-Man to appear,” said one resident.

The 'Stockport Spider-Man' visits local residents
The ‘Stockport Spider-Men’ (Paul Husband Photography)

“We looked away for a moment and when we looked back he was suddenly there. I can’t express how much this lifted our spirits.”

Another added: “He waved at our neighbour and then came to our house and fired some webs. The kids loved it.

“When the kids can’t truly understand why they are stuck in and unable to see anyone, it was something that really brightened what are becoming long days.”

Mr Baird said he closed his martial arts school early to prevent the risk of spreading coronavirus.

A sign in Stockport for the Stockport Spider-Man to read
A sign in Stockport for the Stockport Spider-Man to read (Sarah Harris)

He has been following social distancing rules on his runs, and even shares activities and challenges for local children to occupy themselves with.

He and Andrew plan to continue with their runs at midday in the area, news which will delight local children and others besides.

“I had the binmen yesterday filming, they stopped and got their phones out!” said Mr Baird.

“I’ll do this every day as long as my legs hold out. It’s just to keep everyone smiling.”