IT'S with trepidation that we wait to see what arrives in the two counties from the Arctic.

While a weekend of hype has fuelled fears that we're about to face the worst conditions for 30 years, the reality's likely to be different. And therein lies our concern.

In the mild, western fringes of the Midlands, we're expected to escape the Big Freeze with a sprinkling of snow. Temperatures will fall to what, once, were regarded as a normal winter level, though the wind might make that feel colder.

Main roads will be gritted and passable, and most side roads will require nothing more than a cautious right foot and the right attitude.

In short, for a few days, the conditions will make our European counterparts do nothing more than laugh.

So let's put it into perspective.

Unless the weathermen have called it horribly wrong, common sense should easily see us through.

There will be no need for knee-jerk advice to stay at home; schools will be able to stay open, negating the need for parents to leave work to fetch their children; drivers will not be trapped in drifts; breakdown trucks will not be dragging wrecks from hedges by the dozen.

So, let common sense prevail. Keep an eye on the elderly and infirm, because it will be cold; don't be a part of the region grinding to a halt; give yourself an extra half-hour to make the journey to work; take plenty of care on the roads.

And, if it does turn out worse, let's show some true British grit and keep going.