THURROCK Council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill has paid tribute to residents' 'Dunkirk spirit' after the recent forced evacuation of Collins House residential home in Corringham.

On New Year's Eve the building suffered a serious power failure which meant the home's residents had to be moved – and they had to stay away from their home for several days while the problem was fixed.

Cllr Gledhill spoke up at tonight's meeting of the authority's cabinet to say: "We came into the new on the back end of a major incident at Collins House which meant we had to relocate residents. I am glad to say that not only were they moved out very quickly they were moved back as soon as the issue was resolved

"I would like to thank the residents and their families and all the staff who managed this thorough New Year's Eve and into the new year.

"It was an absolutely fantastic piece of work, and the residents showed a proper Dunkirk spirit and made it so much easier for us to make it happen."

Cllr Gledhill also paid tribute to council staff and members of the emergency services who managed the response to a leak of 415000 litres of hydrochloric acid on 6 January.

"The fire brigade suffered injuries as did staff on the site but every fire officer and staff stepped up to the mark. I would like to thank all the officers involved in that. And also our own staff.

"Well done all on that. Fingers crossed that's us tested for the year and we won't have any more major incidents."