A GOVERNMENT minister heard from a couple firsthand about the effects of flooding in Dorset – and thanked firefighters for a ‘top-notch job’ helping communities.

Fire Minister Bob Neill visited Weymouth Fire Station on a whistlestop tour of the borough to coincide with the torch relay passing through the area.

He heard about the efforts of fire crews who saved lives and battled to protect properties after Weymouth and west Dorset was swamped by a month’s rainfall in a day.

Mr Neill also met Weymouth couple Mike and Vivienne Boissé who have firemen to thank for averting a disaster at their home.

Mr Neill said his scheduled visit to the fire station was ‘timely’ as it allowed him to thank staff involved in the rescue effort. Meeting Mr and Mrs Boissé and hearing of their flood horror, Mr Neill said: “It’s a terrible thing.

“I’m conscious of the damage flooding can do.

“Dorset Fire and Rescue Service crews have been absolutely exemplary.

“I’m impressed by the amount of hours put in by wholetime and retained crews. I will report back to the Prime Minister and say they have done brilliantly – a top-notch job.”

He added: “These were exceptional weather conditions. However much we try to mitigate, in certain extreme weather conditions it does happen and you need to have a response and one to the best standard.”

Mr Boissé, 68, said he was called home to Overbury Close, Lanehouse, last Saturday to find floodwater licking at his doorway and neighbours bailing out gardens with dustbins.

He said: “My neighbours were doing a grand job but I asked them: ‘Have you called 999?’ No-one had thought to call the fire service so I was on the phone.

“The firefighters arrived with pumps and saved us from a disaster. Another few minutes and there would have been hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage.”

The fire service’s District Commander for West Dorset Steve Waller said the brigade received almost 400 mainly flooding related-calls over last weekend and dealt with 17 water rescues.

Mr Waller said he would like to thank people who helped firefighters, even by offering refreshments to crews who were so flat out they didn’t have time to stop for a break.

Bob Neill, who is also the Olympic Legacy Minister, also visited the Olympic operations centre at Weymouth Pavilion on Thursday, met Games volunteers and travelled to Portland to see the work of the Revive community group, and the sailing village at Osprey Quay.

He said hosting the Games was a ‘unique opportunity’ and that Weymouth will reap the benefits from being on an international stage.

He added: “Let’s be upbeat about it, despite the weather.”