Manchester rapper Aitch brought Ashton to a 'standstill' over the weekend as he popped by for a meet-and-greet in a local restaurant.

Harrison Armstrong, who goes by the name Aitch in the music industry, is a BRIT award-winning rapper who hails from Moston.

The 24-year-old is an international star and an avid supporter of raising awareness of Down's Syndrome, which his younger sister, Gracie, has.

The Oldham Times: The world-famous rapper visited the store to promote his new fizzy water, SYPSThe world-famous rapper visited the store to promote his new fizzy water, SYPS (Image: Italian Wolverine)

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His hit song, My G, featuring Ed Sheeran, is dedicated to his little sister who even joined him in the music video.

Aitch not only donated a portion of the My G video budget to the Down's Syndrome Association but completed a 15,000-ft skydive for World Down Syndrome Day and Down's Syndrome Awareness Week.

The Oldham Times: Eager fans queued around the block to meet the starEager fans queued around the block to meet the star (Image: Italian Wolverine)

In recognition of his efforts, his sister's school, New Bridge School in Oldham, opened a new outdoor cabin called 'Harrison's Hut' after him earlier this year.

Now, the star is continuing to show his support for his home city and went "viral" over the weekend after visiting the Fireaway Pizza takeaway on Penny Meadow.

The visit on Saturday (March 30) kicked off the launch of his SYPS fizzy water brand which will feature in more than 150 branches of Fireaway pizza shops.

The Oldham Times: Residents said it was a 'great day' and a 'positive thing' for AshtonResidents said it was a 'great day' and a 'positive thing' for Ashton (Image: Italian Wolverine)

Footage posted by eager fans of the big day shows his arrival brought Ashton to a standstill as hundreds swarmed the streets and police closed the roads.

Local photographer, Massimino Malacrino, known as the Italian Wolverine, captured the incredible scenes.

While the crowds were fed by Fireaway Ashton and Aitch promoted his new drink, he also met some fans inside the premises who had been queuing up around the block. 

The Oldham Times: Aitch is also an avid fundraiser for Down's Syndrome charitiesAitch is also an avid fundraiser for Down's Syndrome charities (Image: Italian Wolverine)

However, he unfortunately returned to his car with a parking ticket.

Still, Ashton residents have been celebrating the 'buzz' of the visit and reflected on its significance for the area.

Massimino Malacrino said: "It was a great day. Kids had a day out, free pizza and a guy to get inspired by."

The Oldham Times: The rapper was met with a parking fine at the end of his tripThe rapper was met with a parking fine at the end of his trip (Image: Italian Wolverine)

A writer from Ashton, Darren Brooks, also said: "I think it was a major positive thing. It brought a large crowd to an area that hasn't seen crowds for a long time."

While others posted their own snaps and thanked the star for chatting to them, another said they hoped he would make an appearance in Oldham next time. 

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.