UP to 1800 tonnes of rock salt are being held by Warrington Borough Council's gritting team as it prepares for the icy conditions over winter.

Five dedicated gritting teams will be on hand to take to roads across the town with the required resources from the council's Tarmac's Depot at Holmesfield Road.

If road surface temperatures are expected to drop below zero or frost is predicted the gritters will be put into action.

Material will be used on major roads to allow safer access for residents, businesses and visitors.

The town's main routes can be gritted within four hours.

Cllr Hans Mundry, executive board member for highways, transportation and public realm, is confident the measures in place will ensure motorists can complete their journeys with minimal disruption.

"Our gritting teams are on standby 24 hours a day between October and April and during bad weather they work round the clock on the main roads doing a fantastic job," he said.

"Our aim is to make sure salt is spread on the roads before ice forms.

"The Met Office provides us with weather forecasts which are monitored 24 hours a day.

"We would urge people to prepare for cold weather, especially when driving in poor conditions.

"It's also advised to keep checking the council's website and social media channels for important updates."

The council will be tweeting grit alerts if the weather changes and residents can keep up to date on Twitter by following @warringtonbc.

For further information and to view the gritting route map visit warrington.gov.uk/gritting.