PRAISE is due to Bournemouth Council for its prompt action following a weekend blaze in Kinson.

As soon as firefighters had put out the blaze in the council-owned block of flats around half a dozen maintenance staff were on the scene to sort out the mess.

They were busy cleaning the premises which suffered extensive smoke damage.

The damage was so bad the occupant couldn’t move back in. So again council staff were on hand to make sure the woman, believed to be in her 50s, had suitable temporary accommodation.

And don’t forget, all this work was carried out quickly and successfully on a Saturday morning.

The general view may be that this is exactly what councils are paid to do and so these people have just done their jobs.

But at a time of cutbacks and economic hardship, it’s good to see council employees rallying round and helping those who most need it.