THE worst often brings out the best in people.

There can be little doubt that the rains currently inundating the North-East are the worst in living memory and, in some places, the worst in many generations' collective memories. But, in many places, it is bringing out the best in people.

It is often said that we live in a time when community is breaking down, when neighbours don't know who lives in their street. In the last few days, though, people have rediscovered each other.

Strangers have been meeting on riverbanks while anxiously eyeing the rising waters and discovering that they've lived unknown within 50 yards of each other for years. Volunteers have been pushing cars out of floods without care for their own shoes. Groups of people have been gathering together and, rather than moaning about the council's failure to unblock a drain, they have done it themselves. And the little old lady at the end of the road who keeps herself to herself has been overwhelmed by offers to move furniture.

It is what a previous generation called the spirit of the Blitz.

Once things begin to dry out a little there will inevitably be some angry words thrown at those in authority, who will be blamed for allowing the contents of the clouds to fall on the North-East.

But as we stand together knee deep in water, let us praise the efforts of the region's council workers, the Environment Agency, the fire brigades and the police forces who are still working tirelessly - and in some cases heroically - to help people