People have been sharing stories of community goodwill as residents band together to help each other in the treacherous conditions.

A hero battled through the snow to deliver life-saving medication to vulnerable people and get doctors to their patients out in the community.

Staff at Bridport Medical Centre say there is no doubt that kind-hearted Gary Arnold saved lives after he volunteered his time and 4X4 to help out today.

Sarah McNulty, the centre’s management assistant, said: “Gary really helped to do anything we needed. He took multiple trips to pick up staff who work at the medical centre and bring them in. He’s said he will take them all home again at the end of the day.

“He’s delivered palliative care and bloods urgently. He’s delivered prescriptions and medication, he’s taken blood samples to the hospital, he’s taken one of our doctors on visits to elderly and very unwell patients. All the time he could’ve been in the warm at home. We’d have had a much tougher day today without him.

"Without him we would have really struggled and the bloods would have had to be retaken. The doctors would have been out much longer.

“He did get delayed helping three people who had fallen. He took them to hospital with broken bones. He’s also towed cars out of ditches. He’s so modest and has taken it all in his stride but we would like to say ‘thank you very much, you have been a hero – a superstar.’”

Practice manager Eilish Davoren was also full of praise for Mr Arnold.

“We could not have done today without him,” she said. “Unfortuately there are people who are dying and in pain and he has made sure they get that medication.

"It’s made us feel warm inside that someone has shown such community spirit."

Kind volunteers opened the Unitarian Chapel on East Street, Bridport, this afternoon.

Lizzie, of Chapel in the Garden, said: "Please let anyone know who may need to come in out of the cold, have a cup of tea, sit by the fire or chat. We also have warm clothes, blankets all free of charge.

"Or, If you live very nearby (be careful walking out there!) and just need to see a friendly face, this is your place.

"Just a thought - if you have neighbours who live alone or an elderly couple, or anyone with mobility issues it would be great if you could check on them and see if they have what they need. Also if this is you and you need help, I am sure through our Bridport network we can find someone who could drop in some supplies. Please be in touch."

Elsewhere, Hangers Dairy has been praised online for perservering with their milk deliveries to ensure people can warm up with a cup of tea at home.

And residents of Barnes Development in Uplyme have been tackling several feet of snow built up outside their house.

Fred Pearce, 74, awoke to two feet of snow outside his home this morning.

He grabbed a shovel and dug his way out, even taking time to shovel a path to the garden so his cat could go outside.

Mr Pearce said: "I was amazed at the amount of snow. I live on a development, and there's a hill and a bend, but we've not had any snow at all for around seven years.

"There's three of us who live here who have all been widowed in the past three years and we all help each other out. There are two ladies who do cookery lessons for us - I was there yesterday and we finished early because of the snow.

"We have a nice group here."

  • Have your neighbours, friends or local businesses been going above and beyond to help out people in the snow? Let us know by emailing news@bridportnews.co.uk