MEMBERS of a Thurrock community have come together online to issue thanks to those who provide all their local services - with special emphasis on postal workers.

It's been a trying time for the Thurrock Royal Mail delivery services, which has been badly affected by Covid-19 and members of the workforce lost a popular colleague, Mark Jeffryes who died after contracting the Covid bug.

Nevertheless they have remained stoic and have done their best to keep the mail going - and this week in Purfleet-on-Thmaes, a couple of members of the delivery team raised smiles with their jovial banter about the village - and their shorts!

The general feeling of love in the Purfleet community for those who go above and beyond (including medical centre staff, shop workers and transport service workers) has been encapsulated in an online poster produced on the local community group Facebook page.

In a message to all who serve the needs of others it says: "Beginning of a new year is a great time to say a massive thank you to all the people who helped us get through the one just gone. Thank-you from everyone in Purfleet!"