Everybody needs good neighbours, but just two families are lucky enough to live next door to Hemel Hempstead couple Rita and Stuart How.

Put forward for the title by both of their Martindale Road neighbours - Lisa Brinn, and father and daughter Danny and 10-year-old Jessica Pratt - the Howes are well deserving of the community's pride.

Lisa says the couple support her as if they were her own parents and that nothing is too much trouble for them.

She said: "When I was in labour, Rita looked after my little boy all night and when my mother had a stroke she was my rock.

"They were very supportive of Jessica when her mum passed away.

"Rita and Stuart are always helping us, if you ever need anything they'll be there in minutes and they would do absolutely anything for you.

"They are such special people and I just couldn't have coped with them."

Caring Rita and Stuart are happy to support both of their neighbouring households and even refer to Lisa as their 'adopted daughter.'