Stormy Darcy: Isabel, 85, digs in and clears paths for her Redding neighbours

As Falkirk's fleet of gritters battle to keep even main roads open, people around the district grabbed their shovels to help clear their own area.

And one of those was the amazing 85-year-old Isabel Nicholson, who put many younger and fitter people to shame with her efforts.

Despite health problems including COPD, asthma and heart trouble - "you name it, I've got it" she said - the pensioner was determined to help not just herself but also her neighbours on Redding's Ward Avenue.

"I don't keep well," said Isabel.

85-years-old Isabel Nicholson clearing snow outside her home in Redding.85-years-old Isabel Nicholson clearing snow outside her home in Redding.
85-years-old Isabel Nicholson clearing snow outside her home in Redding.
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"I have no feeling in the toe on my right side and I can't walk right, so I phoned the council to see if they would come and clear the path but they said they didn't know when that would be.

"So, I took the shovel and cleaned my top step then I started doing the path in case I needed a taxi - otherwise they'd have had to carry me out the house!

"Then I did a bit in case the taxi stopped at the end of the road.”But Isabel was just getting started.She decided to help out by clearing her neighbour’s path.

"There's an old boy down the road who has had a heart operation,” she said. “I thought, well, what happens if an ambulance comes for the poor soul?“So I went to make a wee path down."

85-years-old Isabel Nicholson clearing snow outside her home in Redding.85-years-old Isabel Nicholson clearing snow outside her home in Redding.
85-years-old Isabel Nicholson clearing snow outside her home in Redding.

Isabel says she picked up her shovel because there are no able-bodied people in her street that could help.

"We're all past our sell-by dates!" she said, so she felt she didn't have any choice but to get on with it.

"I don't know what keeps me going but I just do a wee bit at a time - then I come in and get my puff back and go back out and do another wee bit.

"I get told not to do it but it keeps me active - I was a farmer's daughter, so I've never been lazy.

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"I've told the council that if they give me a salt bin I'll put it down at the first sign of snow but they won't have it!"

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