GRITTING lorries have been heading out across Wiltshire as this week's cold snap reduced overnight temperat-ures to below freezing.

A total of 24 vehicles were despatched from Wiltshire County Council's eight salting depots when detailed weather forecasts revealed that the temperature was dropping.

Another seven have been despatched by Swindon Borough Council to cover routes in and around the town.

Wiltshire's gritters have been out every night during the frost covering A-roads. They have also extended their work to include a further 745 miles of minor roads.

In Swindon there are seven routes taking in A-roads, which take two hours to complete.

Gritting has also been extended to smaller roads and all main roads have been pre-salted to prevent them becoming icy.

Lorries are equipped with satellite navigation systems and technology which tracks the amount of salt being deposited. It even records the time the trucks reach each section of their carefully mapped routes.

Highways officers are still warning motorists to take care as they head out into winter weather.

Wiltshire highways network support manager Paul Smith said: "We always advise people to consider whether or not their journey is necessary and, if it is, to use a route which they know would be gritted.

"But even then, we say that you should never assume a road has been salted and we advise people to drive to the conditions."

Leaflets giving details of the roads which are routinely gritted are being distributed to homes across Wiltshire. Copies are also available at local libraries.

Wiltshire police spokes-man Graham Chivers said that the first hard frost of the winter saw 12 accidents on county roads in only two hours.

He said: "Fortunately no one was seriously injured but there is a clear message here. It is vital that throughout the winter period motorists spend a little more time preparing for journeys, however short.

"People should ensure all car windows are clear of frost and ice and ensure the car is properly roadworthy with tyres at the right pressure. Reduce your speed and allow a little more time to complete your journey.

"Taking these simple precautions will ensure you don't become a statistic."