Ref. 28840-13SWINDON is bracing itself for one of the coldest winters Britain has experienced in years.

According to so called experts at weather website Metcheck.com temperatures will plummet and we'll be lucky if the mercury reaches six degrees Celsius in the south.

The council's gritting team has already swung into action, preparing for the onslaught of the snow and ice.

During the last six weeks, workers have started putting the winter emergency plan in place.

In January this year, the council was caught short when a snowstorm hit the town and gritting trucks were nowhere to be seen.

The roads became treacherous within minutes of the blizzard starting and the whole town was gridlocked.

The council later said it had not been warned snow was on the way, but this winter it is taking no such chances.

Richard Hedges, the principal contracts manager at Swindon Services, said: "Over the past six weeks we have been preparing for the winter emergency plan and have some 3,000 tonnes of rock salt in stock.

"All routes have been checked and as from next October 18, three duty officers together with 18 operatives will be on duty 24-hours-a-day on a rota basis ready to receive instructions.

"All gritters will be on the road within one hour of receiving instructions."

The council has eight gritting units and four ploughs ready to hit the roads when the weather turns nasty.

But it's not just the gritters who have to prepare themselves.

Age Concern is also putting plans in place.

Jo Osorio, the director of the Swindon branch, said: "I know there is talk about this winter being harsh but we will have to wait and see what it brings.

"We would like to remind people that there is lots of information and advice available.

"If it's very cold it is a big threat to pensioners. Too many people die in winter in this country because of cold weather and that's because of poor heating and insulation."

l Anyone who receives a retirement pension should automatically get a winter fuel pension, but men aged between 60 and 65 will need to claim theirs.

Call Age Concern Swindon on 01793 692166 for more details.

Emma-Kate Lidbury