Operation Snow patrol rolls out in The Fountain

Spearheaded by Youth Club leaders Alan and Graham Warke, teenagers from the estate turned out in force to clear snow and ice off the paths leading to the homes of older people in the area.

Armed with buckets, spades, barrows and a huge portion of seasonal goodwill, the teens under supervision from adults and youth leaders, spent hours out in the freezing conditions on Thursday.

Warmed by their actions, many of the older residents came to their doors to watch the young people and thank them for their help. Many of hte older folk had been stranded in their homes, too afraid to go out due to the adverse weather.

Thanking the young people and leaders, community leader Jeanette Warke said: "It was great crack. We realised that the older people could not get out because the roads in the Fountain were absolutely terrible because they had not been treated. We got a load of salt delivered and the young fellows all went out with shovels to distributed it, and from that we graduated to doing the paths up to the older people's homes. It was all done by the young people from the youth Club.

"We did all the work last Thursday, and the fun the young people got out of it was amazing. Any of the senior citizens in the estate were looked after and many of them opened their doors and came out. It was great and the young people all felt like they had achieved something by it," she said, adding: "I want to thank the youth leaders Alan and Graham and the volunteers from the youth club. The older people were very grateful for the work. They might not be going to venture down the street, but at leat they can get beyond their doors and go out into their yards in case they need to bring something into the house."

Describing the estate as "a skating rink" Mrs Warke said the verious areas of steps in the estate were also treacherous becuase they were slicked with ice.

"We finished Operation Snow Patrol finished with hot dogs and welcome hot cups of tea. It really was great and there was a real community spirit," she said.