TIPTON Owlets Playgroup paid special thanks to the firemen of Ottery last Saturday for helping them to clean up their outbuilding after it was damaged during the severe flooding in October. Ottery firefighters visited the group two days after the storm to

TIPTON Owlets Playgroup paid special thanks to the firemen of Ottery last Saturday for helping them to clean up their outbuilding after it was damaged during the severe flooding in October.

Ottery firefighters visited the group two days after the storm to help their clean-up operation and the children showed their thanks last Saturday by presenting a hand-made card and cake to them.

Natalie Smith, chairman of the playgroup, said: "The storage, outbuilding and shed were completely flooded.

"Ottery fire brigade were fantastic. They visited us and hosed down all of our out buildings and plastic equipment.

"They did a brilliant job and were with us for an hour and a half.

"They were really superb and we wanted to offer our thanks to them.

"The kids had a lot of fun when the firemen came back to visit as they got the chance to sit in the fire engine and try on the firemen's hats and gloves."

Natalie also thanked the parents of the owlets who have been very helpful after the storm hit unexpectedly.

She added: "All of the toys had to be disinfected and luckily all the parents were happy to help and are storing the toys until the buildings dry out.