Gritters on the roads of Devon tonight as rain is predicted to be followed by freezing conditions.

Gritters will be on the roads of Devon tonight as the coldest temperatures so far this winter set in.

The county council is warning of the potential of icy roads as rain showers during the early part of this evening are expected to be followed by freezing conditions.

Road surface temperatures are forecast to plunge to as low as -3 C in the East of the county overnight, but all areas are expected to drop below zero.

Gritters will be treating around 1,700 miles of its main salting network on Devon’s major roads between 4pm and 10pm tonight. As there is potential of further rain showers on freezing roads and water run-off on roads, most areas will also be treated at 3am tomorrow morning.

More than 3,000 grit bins across Devon have been re-filled in preparation for winter. In addition to the County Council’s gritting service, over 220 towns and parishes have now also signed up to Devon’s snow warden scheme to provide self-help in their communities during severe weather.

Motorists are reminded of the following advice:

* Avoid overnight travel unless absolutely essential as roads will always be more hazardous at night with less traffic and colder temperatures;

* Never assume a road has been salted. Remember that showers or rain will wash salt off roads leaving them prone to ice, and in extreme cold even salting will not stop ice from forming;

* Allow additional time for your journey and reduce your speed;

* Drive with care and according to the conditions;

* If you have vulnerable or elderly neighbours, think about how they could possibly be helped through the cold spell;

* Listen to local radio for updates on current weather conditions.