GRITTING teams will be out in force in East Yorkshire tonight and tomorrow, ahead of predicted heavy snow fall.

A band of snow is forecast to cross East Yorkshire from 10am tomorrow morning, becoming increasingly intense around lunch time before turning to rain in the afternoon, East Riding of Yorkshire Council says.

A spokesman said: "The council’s 17-strong gritter fleet will be treating the area’s precautionary highway network this evening, as road temperatures fall below freezing and with snow showers forecast for the morning, with a further treatment planned for 8am to ensure a good covering of salt before the snow arrives."

He said around 2cm to 4cm of snow was forecast, but as much as 10cm on higher ground, with the possibility of drifting in the Wolds as the wind picks up.

John Skidmore, the council's head of streetscene services, said: “The council is continuing to monitor the weather conditions closely and will respond in accordance with its winter maintenance plan.

“The council has healthy stocks at its barns and, as well as treating the network in advance of the forecast snow, will also fit its gritting fleet with their ploughs to clear roads as needed.

“High pedestrian areas will also be treated and cleared where necessary, although warmer temperatures forecast for the end of the week will likely see whatever snow accumulations fall thaw rapidly.”