A heartwarming photograph has emerged on social media of a young man who allowed a stranger with special needs to hold his hand on a busy bus.

Godfrey Cuotto, a 22-year-old student, was photographed sitting next to a man known as 'Robert' on a busy bus in Ontario, Canada.

Robert, who is deaf and suffers from cerebral palsy, is said to have needed comforting after being overwhelmed on the busy bus.

The photo, which was first posted on a Facebook page called Only In Hamilton on Wednesday, has since gone viral, with many describing the moment as 'beautiful' and 'perfect'.

The caption that accompanied the photo read: 'I didn't know if u can post this but I would liking [sic] to say thank you to the guy who was seating beside a special needs gentleman.

'He allowed him to hold his hand and find comfort well in a packed bus.. It make [sic] my day when I see stuff like that.'

Mr Cuotto, a student at McMaster University in Hamilton, said he was on his way home on a crowded bus when Robert reached out to him for comfort, initially requesting a handshake.

Having initially thought he was the subject of some kind of prank, Mr Cuotto soon realized his fellow passenger was merely looking for comfort.

'He kept holding my hand,' Mr Cuotto told the Huffington Post Canada.

'Sometimes you just have to be selfless and put someone else's needs above yours.'

As well as holding his hand, the student allowed Robert to hug him and lean against him on the journey.

The young student told the publication that he later received a message on Facebook from Robert's family who praised his efforts for comforting their uncle.

The photo has garnered nearly 45,000 likes with more than 10,000 shares on Facebook and a significant amount of positive feedback.

Philip Mac said: 'The world needs more people like you!'

Melissa Mustapha posted: 'That's beautiful really put a smile on my face.'

Jennifer McCreary wrote: 'Our Purpose: to Help each other. Peace and love.'

And Jamie Shaffer said: 'Despite all the negativity in the world, people are still amazing.'

One man even suggested Mr Cuotto should consider a career in politics.

'Godfrey Cuotto should consider a career in politics! His mother should be his chief of staff! What's more impressive than his act of kindness...his confidence at age 22...how he shrugs off the glory coming his way! Awesome man and a good reminder for the rest of us!,' Stephen Snow wrote.

The student told theKiss 92.5 radio station said that his act of kindness stemmed from the way he'd been brought up, saying of his mother: 'I was raised by a queen.'