IT’S that time of year. The nights are drawing in and every morning you find yourself in a battle with frost on your car windscreen – there’s no denying that winter is on the way.

The MET office has predicted a sharp drop in temperatures for the Worcester region in the next fortnight and the council’s fleet of gritting lorries has been out the past two nights.

But extra help is at hand.

Worcestershire County Council has set up a winter advice web page with a whole host of hints and tips for dealing with the winter weather and the challenges ice, snow and wind all bring to the county’s roads.

The website also includes information on flooding, school closures and advice on keeping warm.

Simon Geraghty, deputy leader of Worcestershire county council is hoping a common-sense approach to staying safe this winter will help prevent some of the problems the county has experienced in winters past.

He said: “Given the really bad weather we experienced last year winter, I would encourage everybody to take a few minutes to have a look at this advice page so they can be as prepared as possible for this winter.”

With many elderly people finding the winter months a harsh and lonely time, Worcestershire County Council, along with AGE Concern Herefordshire & Worcestershire and the NHS, are urging people to keep an eye on their more vulnerable relatives and neighbours.

The council has compiled a list of the ways you can help keep the elderly safe at this time of year. The list includes – making sure they eat and drink hot meals regularly and their cupboards are fully stocked, ensuring they are always warm and wearing lots of layers and making sure their heating is between 18-21 degrees Celsius.

Visit worcestershire.gov. uk/winteradvice for more information.

The West Mercia Safer Roads Partnership is also offering three steps of advice on how to negotiate the winter road conditions.

Make sure your vehicle is in good working order.

Prepare for your journey by checking local conditions before setting off and have an ‘emergency kit’ in the car.

Change driving behaviour to take into account the adverse conditions by slowing down and taking extra care at junctions and roundabouts.