THERE has been a catalogue of local hero stories from the snowy visit from the Beast from the East and this week the chair of Cowdenbeath Area Committee described herself as 'proud' of the reaction by each community to the immense challenges faced.

The Beast from the East struck on Wednesday and for the next four days snow battered the area through the fierce easterly gale causing Coalden in Cluny to be cut off as was Glencraig.

But the efforts of 'local heroes' ensured that things were not hopeless and their efforts saw people given the chance to recover some normality.

Said Councillor Erskine: "The Beast from the East gave us the biggest challenge our communities have faced in many years. "The predictions did warn us that this would be exceptional, what we didn't appreciate at the time was just how difficult this was going to be. I was, like many others in Lochgelly, almost immediately snowed in.

"From the first day members of the Salvation Army contacted me to make me aware how they were co-ordinating care for local people. By the second day we were in unprecedented territory, the inability to receive deliveries of food presented huge challenges to council staff and our local community.

"I was presented with challenges of numerous different kinds from broken heating systems, lack of food, to the loss of family members. Its very hard to put into words now how I felt when I received the call about the family who had lost their mother, what I do know is that I could put myself in that position and I had to do something".

She added: "As a result of a Facebook plea within 15 minutes I had 30 people who, despite their own difficulties with the weather, turned up to help clear the road.

"As I turned the corner from Bank Street to Francis Street my heart leapt as I saw the number of folk who turned up to help. I have always been proud of my community but never more than I was last Friday at 5pm. This, however, was just one magnificent response amongst many across the ward constituency".

She went on: "There has always been a good community spirit in our towns and villages, the acts of kindness and support by many has just re-inforced this, whether it was making sure that an elderly neighbour was safe or clearing paths at schools . "There are far to many people to thank but I must make a special mention of care staff, transportation who have worked round the clock and in particular Zander Hughes, who drove his tractor from Cardenden to clear Francis Street, digging out the hamlet of Coalden in Cluny, which had been cut off for four days.

"I am truly proud to represent Lochgelly, Cardenden and Benarty areas all of whom have all gone above and beyond to support all of their communities".