A LOVEABLE group of students have given a new twist to happy slapping – offering free hugs around Chester.

They filmed themselves as they roamed the streets of Chester, around the walls, to the racecourse and past Eastgate Clock, holding a sign reading ‘free hugs’.

And they got a lot of love in return as members of the public of all ages obliged.

The footage was posted on video-sharing website YouTube.

It is one of many clips conceived by a merry band of Wirral Metropolitan College students who call themselves Resident Penguin Productions and create videos set to their favourite music.

Director Glynn Hislop, 20, from Bromborough, Wirral, trawls the streets with his friends Karl Dawson and Natasha Alker while recording proceedings with a camcorder.

Gabriel and Samuel Reavey and Adam McCann helped spread the word and asked people after filming the hug if they could use the footage.

“The people of Chester were so nice when asked if they would like a hug, some said no, but were polite enough to say so with a smile and a pat on the back, while others gave us a massive gigantic squeeze.

“Some people even insisted they hugged again just to make sure it was a hug to remember!

“We would love to come back to Chester an do it all again in the near future. Maybe get offered a hug ourselves?”