G CHURCH, of Chillington, writes:

It is 6am on a dark, cold, winter morning. Setting out in this from Plymouth, Ivybridge and Totnes into our main roads and lanes is a team of ladies. Who are they? They are our unsung heroines – carers.

These ladies care for the not-so-fortunate folk, disabled and aged. Regardless of bad weather and roadworks, they always greet you with a smile.

They are carers in the live sense of the word – nothing is too much trouble for them. Working very long hours, 14- to 16-hour days, nothing deters them.

On behalf of my wife and myself, we would like to say thank you and wish them all a very merry Christmas.

But before I sign off, there is another band of unsung heroes – they belong to the Royal Voluntary Service and they are Devon Community Transport volunteers driving their cars.

Again, regardless of weather and roadworks, they will drive you to hospital any time of the day. They too always greet you with a smile, and it is ­comforting to know they are there for us.

Thank you gentlemen. You too have a merry Christmas.

Thanks folks, one and all, you are the greatest.