WHILE NHS workers and carers have quite rightly been praised to the rafters for their work in our communities, taking to the front line in the battle against coronavirus, Thurrock Nub News has been featuring volunteers and local leaders who are putting themselves in harm's way to keep communities going.

In each and everyone of our local communities shop workers have taken a key role in ensuring we are all able to get the vital supplies we need.

Their service is replicated in corner shops, convenience stores, petrol stations and supermarkets across the borough.

And it's not just the workers in their shop - they are all being supplied by drivers and a distribution network that is keeping the food and domestic supply lines going.

Thurrock Nub News didn't have far to go this morning, to see two delivery lorries topping up shops in Stanford-le-Hope. On the High Street a truck was delivering so workers at the town's Co-op could top up shelves - and just down the road at the Costcutter on London Road another trucker was dropping off supplies.

It might have been early on Sunday morning - but the work goes on.

The Co-ops, with several spread across Thurrock towns, are proving real focal points in their local communities. Each store not only offers a service to shoppers, they all support local charities and good causes - as highlighted in recent Thurrock Nub News stories including this fund and awareness raiser in Grays read here.

On London Road in Stanford-le-Hope staff at the Costcutter have won praise from residents for the way they have continued to offer service during the crisis - and for smiles and the kindly way they have shepherded shoppers through the social distancing requirements.

The London Road Costcutter and adjacent service station are owned by Merwin Amirtharaja, who is in no doubt about the debt he and the local community owe to the staff who keep turning up for work.

He says: "They all have been wonderful in working hard to get us through this difficult and challenging time.

"They have put their lives at risk to serve the local community and they have been pushed to their limits

"They are true heroes and they should be treated as such.

"I would like to thank every single one of them for their continued hard work in these unprecedented times."