POLICE drivers in North Yorkshire have shared their tips to help motorists in wintry weather.

A number of crashes were reported to North Yorkshire Police on Thursday morning, mostly due to ice and snow on the roads.

At 5.30am, a car skidded on black ice into a ditch on the A167 in Sandhutton, Thirsk, and had to be removed from the vehicle by firefighters, while at 5.55am a car slid through a fence in Selby Common, Selby, after hitting ice. The driver was not believed to have been injured.

A Land Rover flipped over after sliding down Runswick Bay Bank at 7.10am, but nobody was hurt, and a driver skidded in Cecil Street, Harrogate at 8.20am, crashing into a parked car causing some damage.

A woman was also injured when the 4x4 she was driving skidded into the underside of a bridge under the A168 at Sowerby, Thirsk, at 9am, and was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

A police spokesman said: "It’s extremely important to prepare your vehicle for driving in wintry conditions, drive to the conditions you experience and take extra care on the roads."

Drivers are advised to check brakes, lights, wiper blades, and oil and washer fluid level before setting off, ensure their tyres meet legal requirements – and preferably a tread depth of 3mm.

Motorists should also carry water and de-icer in their cars, and food, hot drinks, blankets and a fully-charged mobile phone for longer journeys, but most importantly, ensure their windscreen is properly cleared of ice and snow before setting off.