VOLUNTEERS from a church helped council staff fill 10,000 sandbags to protect homes from flooding.

Members of the Plymouth Brethren, which has a rapid response team, rolled their sleeves up at the DLO depot in Taunton.

Spokesman Tom Martin said: “Our team is there to help support emergency services in whatever way we can, providing food and drink or, in this case, filling sandbags.

“We have an enthusiastic young team and I think they filled about 1,500 bags through the day.”

Taunton Deane Council issued sandbags to private homes in imminent danger of flooding.

Last Wednesday (November 21), 2,653 sandbags were deployed, with 2,871 on Thursday, 1,795 on Friday, 1,843 on Saturday and 846 on Sunday.

Staff worked through Wednesday and Thursday night and until 4am on Sunday to get as many sandbags out as possible.

Council leader Cllr John Williams said: “This was one of the worst floods in living memory in Somerset and the West Country with torrential rain falling between Wednesday and Sunday.

“I can only say a very heartfelt thank you to our staff and to those volunteers who helped as well – that is what being part of the community means.”