A VOLUNTEER group has told of their efforts to keep countryside roads clear after being “extremely busy” during Storm Eunice.

Alfriston Emergency Group near Seaford said they received calls into “double figures” from Friday onwards after the South-East was issued with a red weather warning from The Met Office.

The group wanted to ease the workload for emergency services so took matters into their own hands with chainsaws at the ready to dispatch of any uprooted trees in the area.

The group also got rid of dangerous branches that had come loose from trees but were still hanging by a thread.

Steve Woodgate, chairman of the group, said: “The guys responded mostly to calls of trees and branches. For a little voluntary group, we were very busy.

“In the bad weather when roads are blocked and incidents like that, Highways and emergency services all get busy at the same time.

The Argus: The group hard at work on FridayThe group hard at work on Friday

“People get a bit twitchy when they cant get up the road to their house. Or if there is a ambulance or fire engine that can’t get through so it’s all just a case of helping people.”

The group has been active for several years, most recently draining water from a ditch in December to prevent flood water from potentially flooding a hotel and National Trust site.

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