THREE new state-of-the-art gritters will head out on to county roads tonight to protect Worcestershire's motorists from the worst of the winter weather.

The new £77,000 gritters will partially replace Worcestershire County Council's current fleet and are billed as among the most environmentally friendly on the market, using diesel engines which exceed all proposed emissions targets.

Weighing 26 tonnes and able to carry 13 tonnes of salt each, the new gritters can protect more than 60 miles of highway in a single run.

They also use onboard satellite navigation systems to record which roads have been gritted, as well as carrying a console which reports information on grit levels, spread rate and pattern to the drivers to help ensure a regular and thorough coating on the roads.

Derek Prodger, the county council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “The three new gritters will serve Worcestershire residents for many years to come, making our highways safer for road users during cold periods.”

The county's army of gritters heads out along pre-approved routes on nights when freezing conditions are predicted.

Worcester weatherman Paul Damari suggested that the new gritters may be called into action immediately. He said: “We can expect frosty conditions tonight. However, things will get milder as the week goes on.”