WORCESTERSHIRE highways gritting and snow clearing teams are swinging into action this evening with as much as 5cm of snow forecast to fall in some higher areas of the county overnight.

'Back to black' ploughs have been fitted to some of the gritters and crews covering some 1,300 miles of county roads will be firing up the engines and remaining on standby. Conditions will be monitored and inspected throughout the night. Snow is already falling in some parts of the county with forecasts of between 2cms and 5cms possible on higher ground.

Councillor John Smith OBE, county council cabinet member for highways, said: "The crews are heading out to treat all designated routes early this evening ahead of road temperatures dipping. At the moment, snowfall levels for Worcestershire are relatively low but we'll have officers monitoring the latest forecasts through the night and, if needed, the gritters will go out with the latest 'back to black' ploughs fitted.

"I'd encourage anyone making journeys to take care. Snow and sleet obviously makes it more difficult for drivers so please don't take any risks. Grit has never been a miracle cure, so, as always, the message is to never assume it's safe to travel at normal speeds even if you think a highway has been treated."