HEROES who have helped across the county during the recent flooding have been praised for their efforts.

Since February 15, the fire service has rescued 185 people, 19 dogs, 10 cats, 55 sheep, one pony, one parrot and one snake.

In total, 204 people have been evacuated from buildings, as have 11 dogs and two cats.

Rob Allen, area commander of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “While our crews have been working tremendously hard over the last two weeks, their task has been made much more bearable by the goodwill and support of members of the community.

“The supply of food and drinks at incidents throughout the two counties, along with smiling faces, has been so welcome and has helped hugely in keeping morale high.”

Jon Fraser, Worcestershire County Council's Highways manager, praised his team for keeping traffic moving wherever possible.

:“I really can’t speak highly enough of our staff who have really risen to the challenge and responded in a professional and caring manner. We have had lots of fantastic comments from members of the public.

“We have tried to update constantly on social media throughout the day and night about what’s open and what’s closed.

“Also, I’d like to thank the Premier Inn and County Cricket Club who have been very accommodating to our staff. They have been letting them use toilet facilities and providing hot drinks and access to their wifi throughout the night.”

Staff from West Midlands Ambulance Service have been coming into work on their days off and annual leave to attend incidents.

Assistant chief ambulance officer, Nathan Hudson, said: “I must say a really big thank you to our staff who have been absolutely outstanding. I understand that for the residents it can be quite a scary time with more rain predicted, and with things like this it’s important not to take your eyes off the ball.

“I must say it’s been quite phenomenal when you see people out in the communities volunteering, offering shelter and neighbours looking after neighbours. It’s a typical British spirit which puts a bit of warmth back into your heart. You can only commend the locals affected for how they’ve dealt with it.”

West Mercia Police's Superintendent Mark Colquhoun said: “I would like to thank all of our officers and staff along with the other emergency service and partner staff that have been working incredibly hard to keep our communities safe and will continue to do so.

“During our response to the flooding we have seen some incredible acts of communities pulling together and helping each other."

Dave Throup, Environment Agency manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, has been visiting the flooded areas and keeping residents up to date on road closures, river levels, weather and the defence systems.

Flooding forced the Crowngate bus station to close but staff continued to work around the clock and were out on the streets of Worcester keeping things moving by sorting out a temporary bus station and directing customers where to go.

Nigel Eggleton, managing director for the Midlands First UK Bus, addressing staff, said: “Thank you to all of you who’ve got stuck in this past week, you’ve all been phenomenal. I can’t praise you enough for pulling out all the stops to ensure our customers got to where they needed to be. For our team in Worcester, it really was ‘all hands to the deck’ with everyone trying to keep disruption to a minimum. I’m exceptionally proud of everyone’s efforts.”

Meanwhile, West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “Despite the terrible impact the recent floods have caused over an extended period of time, I never fail to be in awe of how communities come together to support each other.

“I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to all of our communities for their resilience and also the agencies across West Mercia that have worked tirelessly to keep people and their property safe, in what has been a very difficult time."

Leader of Worcestershire County Council, Councillor Simon Geraghty said “We have seen a positive response to the flood information hubs across the county and advice has been given to over 200 people. It’s been fantastic to hear how the hubs have been able to help people with advice on how to access finance and offer advice for people experiencing extremely difficult circumstances.”

A funding page has been set up for the Camp House Inn, in Grimley, after the venue was destroyed by the floods.

Teresa Young set up the page on February 27 and has already raised £615. She said: “This is a business and a home to the Wainwrights and has suffered extensively following the recent floods."

To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/camp-house-inn-appreciation-group/donate

A Facebook group, Worcester Floods Volunteer Clean Up and Donations, has been created where people can offer helps.

Steve and Ellie Symonds set up a drop-off donation point at Powick Church and people in need were invited to collect items they have been left without due to the effects of flooding.

Mr Symonds, who is a chef at Bank House Hotel in Bransford, also cooked a meal at the Red Lion, in The Village, Powick, for people to eat for free.