Extraordinary efforts to keep town’s community hospital open.

NHS nurses in Axminster went the extra mile to keep health services open during the heavy snow and icy conditions.

Staff walked through the snow to reach patients otherwise cut off due to the snow. Others were brought into work on a local farmer’s tractor.

Councillor John Jeffery gave a community nurse a lift in his 4x4 vehicle – without his help she wouldn’t have been able to see any of her patients in snowy rural areas.

Diane Walker, matron at Axminster Hospital, which is run by NHS Devon, said: “It is incredible how the local community rallied to help make sure our hospital and community services were still able to run.

“Our hospital staff deserve a big thank you for going that extra mile to get into work despite the treacherous weather.”

Councillor Jeffery said: “Axminster Hospital is such an important part of the community and it was a pleasure to be able to do my bit to help.”