Sir, – ON December 10, at about 11am, a very large branch fell from a tree in Thorpe Thewles churchyard totally blocking the road into the village (the tree is waiting planning permission to be felled).

A resident rang our local Care for Your Area and a team arrived within ten minutes of the call to clear the road. It took 35 minutes.

I am writing to compliment Care for Your Area publicly for the prompt and efficient service its team provided on a day when the atrocious weather could have delayed its response.

Since moving to Stockton, I have continually been impressed by the high quality of the service provided by the Care for Your Area team. We have lived in several places and their service exceeds any we have experienced.

PHILLIPA COOPER

Church warden, Thorpe Thewles, near Stockton.