SOUTH Lakeland District Councillors took time out of a busy budget meeting to pay tribute to the emergency services involved in Friday's Grayrigg train crash and Margaret Masson, the 84-year-old passenger who died, with a minute's silence.

Coun Peter Thornton, who represents the Grayrigg ward and was at the scene of the crash on Saturday, told members today (Tuesday) he had felt "proud and reassured" by the way the community had pulled together in the aftermath of the derailment, and he heaped praise on the farmers and residents who assisted the rescue efforts.

Coun Thornton also said he had been "struck by the incredible condition" of the Pendelino train following the crash, hailing the minimal damage a "triumph of modern technology".