It is a total sensation - a small appeal for unwanted crisp bags has grown beyond all its originator's idea.

Now over 200,000 have seen a post asking for people to donate crisp bags, which can be ironed into heat insulated cover for the homeless.

It is a genius idea, started on November 2, by someone who really knows how hard it is to stay warm on the streets.

Twenty three year old Miley Porritt was homeless and for many years slept in doorways.

Now he is living in his own home, and running his own business and wants to pay back those who helped him.

He told Nub News: "I started the company due to being put on furlough at the start of the virus. Since then I've had a steady stream of customers that I do ironing for on a weekly bi/weekly basis. "

He has now extended with a branch in Bridport Dorset where his brother has become the iron man of Bridport.

" We are small but our customers love us. "

So why put out an appeal for crisp bags? Simple says Miley.

" The reason for doing this is I have been homeless and living in the YMCA for five years and also spent some weeks sleeping rough in doorways with nothing but a sleeping bag.

"These bags would of been a life saver! I aim to help as many people as possible as I have recently moved into a flat and am now able to give back what people have given to me!"

" We are having people all over the country offering help and support. We are planning on getting as many crisp packets as possible by the 3rd of December (day after lockdown) and will be asking for volunteers to help make them with us in order to get them ready for the 10th December. Hopefully we can get as many people as possible a little bit warmer this winter. "

If you can help you can contact Iron Man Frome via his Facebook page:

the Facebook site

On that page Miley explains : Did you know it takes 80 years for a crisp packet to decompose? Did you know that 150 of them can be ironed together and turned into a survival blanket for a homeless person and will help to keep their sleeping bag dry and insulated?

The iron men are collecting crisp packets and will be making these blankets. If you can collect them between now and Christmas we would be happy to take them off your hands! (Preferably washed first in warm soapy water).

Adding : "I do not need publicity I just need crisp packets!"

Iron Man Frome has also just started a Go Fund page which you can donate to here:

the Go Fund page