Soldiers armed with shovels hit streets

HUNDREDS of members of the forces have hit the streets of the Capital armed with shovels and picks to clear some of the worst-hit areas of snow and ice.

At the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, servicemen and women were greeted by clapping and cheering as Operation Precision swung into action.

In all, around 200 soldiers from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS), travelled from Dreghorn Barracks to hospitals and doctors' surgeries.

They were joined by 40 members of the RAF and 30 Navy personnel to ensure the most vulnerable people could reach the services they needed.

Council leader Jenny Dawe said that the decision to finally call in reinforcements was not taken lightly.

She said: "After the extreme snowfall on Monday, we decided we had to take action to make sure people in need of emergency help have access to it.

"This could be a life or death situation for some people in these circumstances and we have to make sure that ambulances are able to reach the most vulnerable.

"Those people who are in difficult to reach areas will also be a main focus."

Ian Dunsmuir, 61, from Kirkliston, visiting the hospital with his nine-year-old granddaughter Rebecca, who has spinobifida, said: "I think what they're doing is fantastic, it's a really positive thing to see."

Squadron Leader Jason Aslett, from RAF Leuchars, said: "We are doing as much as we possibly can and all of the guys are happy to help."