KENT County Council has invested £2.3million in a fleet of new snow ploughs and salting lorries in a bid to prevent the region's roads grinding to a halt this winter.

The authority has also stockpiled around 20,000 tonnes of salt ready to spread across Kent’s 52 main routes at the first ice warning issued by the Met Office.

The priority is to keep main roads open and to make sure hospitals, fire stations and other essential services can be reached.

But salt is also provided for roadside bins in areas not covered by main routes.

Cllr Keith Ferrin, KCC cabinet member for the environment and highways, said: “The salting lorries are on stand-by, and the drivers are trained and ready to go.”