GRITTING teams are on standby to keep York’s roads safe on Christmas Day and Boxing Day after weathermen predicted the big freeze is set to continue.

Some local authorities elsewhere have warned their salt stocks are running low, but City of York Council said it had 1,100 tonnes of salt in stock, with more on order.

North Yorkshire County Council said it had 20,000 tonnes and additional supplies coming in, having used 45,000 tonnes so far this winter. “Clearly we continue to monitor and manage our salt usage so we can maintain current operations.”

East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which refuses to disclose how much salt it has, said it started the winter with its stocks full and had replenished throughout as salt had been used.

Weathermen say temperatures are unlikely to rise above freezing in our region over the festive period, although little snow is likely.