Robots responsible for deliveries across Sale and Timperley are to take on identities of their own with a range of characters available to customers.

The Personal Delivery Devices (PDDs) are the idea of Starship Technologies, a firm founded by Skype co-developers Ahti Heinla and Janus Friis.

Starship Technologies works with the Co-Op, of which there are two in the area west of the A56 affected by the scheme, one on Coppice Avenue and one on Washway Road.

The two supermarkets are allowed to use robots for deliveries to more than 10,000 households as far north as Ashton on Mersey and as far south as Altrincham Retail Park.

They were let loose earlier this year and now are to take on identities of their own including Sir Lance-A-Bot, a character in honour of the King's Coronation last weekend.

There is also Gizmo, or 'Grumpy Bot', and Sunshine, or 'Happy Bot', with each character acting in a different way on arrival.

READ MORE: Co-Op and Starship robots scheme starts in Sale and Timperley.

Henry Harris-Burland, vice president for marketing at Starship Technologies, said: "Our robots have been widely welcomed and taken to the heart of the communities they operate in. 

"People regularly come out to greet them, some even hug them and take selfies with them, and others even stroke them like they would a cat or dog.

"This feature will be exciting for many Starship Technologies customers, who have been asking for the robots to be given names since commercial service began in 2018. 

"With the characters we hope to provide even more fun and enjoyment, and we already know King Charles would approve of Sir Lance-A-Bot in particular, as he met our robots earlier this year when he visited Milton Keynes."

Residents arrange their deliveries on an app, which also allows them to track and unlock the robots. The robots travel on pavements and use sensors to avoid obstacles, although there is a control centre for all significant issues.

For information, search Starship Technologies on social media or go to starship.xyz.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.