Unsung heroes of Angus and the Mearns hailed

Unsung heroes have stepped into the breach to save the day as Angus and the Mearns was gripped by an icy blast.

Caring cabbies, good neighbours, helpful motorists and even a group of youngsters who sacrificed a day’s sledging to dig vehicles out of the snow have all been hailed for their efforts during what was a week of snow-related chaos across Angus and the Mearns.

With buses cancelled and staff unable to travel, Blair Meston of ABK Cabs Ltd offered free transport for doctors, nurses and emergency service personnel working in and around Brechin.

With eight cabs on the road, the kindhearted taxi owner also picked up and delivered vital prescriptions to the elderly as snow continued to make travel in the town centre almost impossible.

He took to Facebook to offer his services as a way of thanking the community for supporting his business over the last three years.

Blair said: “We delivered prescriptions to pensioners in Wards Road and River Street.

“They couldn’t get out due to the weather and they were so grateful.”

A group of youngsters in Carnoustie helped to dig out more than 30 cars and a bus from the snow.

Drivers also left their vehicles to help others in Forfar and on the A92 at Colliston in Arbroath when cars got stuck.

Montrose Pathway offered its services to the elderly for free and managed to get round a great many people.

Neighbours were also exercising a caring oversight by checking in on each other – especially the elderly – to make sure they had everything they needed.

Arbroath East and Lunan independent councillor Lois Speed said: “I know there have been older people within communities who had been having to deal with frozen pipes and people have been opening their homes up to those affected.

“Some have been trudging through the snow in horrendous conditions to provide water and food provisions for neighbours.”

Monifieth and Sidlaw Lib Dem councillor Ben Lawrie said: “We’ve had a rough time with the cold weather but it’s heartwarming to see people looking after their neighbours and council staff working their hardest to keep people safe on the roads.”

Some have been trudging through the snow in horrendous conditions to provide water and food provisions for neighbours

Top: Ramsays Skip Hire sent a JCB loader to help clear snow at the Dee Club in Dundee. George Douglas, Jock Cormack, Liz Dolan and Davie Taylor at the club. Above left: Guildtown papergirl Susannah Welch delivers the news; right: Steve and Lee Smart...