Community rallied round, even baking their own bread

ESSENTIALS like bread and milk were in short supply in the Borders as roads were blocked and panic buying cleared the shelves.

It was a similar story across much of the country with supermarkets in major cities struggling to replenish stocks despite deliveries being made two days after the Siberian storm swept in.

But as roads remained blocked in thye Borders and supplies fell dangerously low, one charitable restaurateur decided to bake his own.

Sal De Martino, of Hunters Stables in St Boswells, baked around 100 loaves in his pizza oven and donated the proceeds to Cash For Kids.

“The local shop was struggling with the bread supply so my wife Gail and I decided to do something for the community,” he said.

“We only moved here four years ago, and I like the spirit in the Borders. We get a lot of support from the community and the surrounding area so we wanted to give something back.”

Sal says the Beast From The East also tore through his home town of Sorrento in southern Italy, which doesn’t usually get quite as much snow as the Scottish Borders.

She added: “Their pipes have frozen and they are struggling. We are coping because we’re used to it, but imagine how it feels over there.”

The bar at the Buccleuch Arms also had a bumper week as patrons made the most of their unexpected days off work.

The bar ran out of a cider, and gave out gallons of free hot chocolate to shivering guests, many of whom extended their stay in the adjoining rooms.