Many adopted ‘blitz spirit’

He said: “We owe all those who have really slogged their hearts out for us, night and day, an enormous thank you.

“I don’t think any of us will really realise what miserable conditions they all had to work in as they carried out all their essential repairs.

“Bitterly cold winds slicing through them as they worked away. Deep, heavy snow drifts making every inch of progress almost impossible.

“Abandoned cars and other domestic problems hindering their work at every turn, and on top of that the rest of us chasing them continually to resolve our individual problems.

“We also must not forget the fantastic blitz spirit which so many adopted and especially so the farmers as they helped out their neighbours. We must congratulate everyone.”

He added: “There are of course many glitches and problems that need to be reviewed so that we can react better to it next time. Any constructive comments should be passed on to local elected representatives.

“Straid, Ballyclare, Mallusk and Templepatrick all had to bear the brunt of it especially on the high ground and the services gave everything to try and get their roads cleared and water and power to them.”