The worst of the weather brings the very best out of folk

THE plight of drivers trapped on the M62 prompted an incredible response from a community.

Several people in Milnrow allowed strangers to stay overnight while the local community centre became a rest shelter.

Kind-hearted volunteers walked from the village to the motorway to hand out hot drinks and food to those stuck in their vehicles.

Wendy Cheetham, a nurse, allowed five people to stop the night at her home in Milnrow, among them Amina Mohyuddin from Dewsbury and Melissa Skaife from Wakefield.

Wendy, 48, said: “I’m a nurse. Caring for people is second nature. If you have space, why wouldn’t you help people?

“The people of Milnrow went out there in their droves. It has been about community spirit. We took that literally.”

The community response began after a post on the Newhey and Milnrow Community Spirit Facebook page which alerted members to the disruption on the M62.

It is thought that around 200 people were given help by volunteers.

Butterworth Hall community centre was opened along with a nearby church which provided temporary beds for several people.

Families were found bed and breakfast or hotels to stay and around 30 people were put into local homes, businesses and hotels.