A COUNCIL chief has entered the row about the late postponement of Newcastle's Premiership home game against Charlton because of snow and ice on the city's roads.

Newcastle City Council chief executive Ian Stratford spoke out after the council was blamed for the state of the roads and said he thought the Wednesday fixture, called off 25 minutes before kick-off, should have gone ahead.

The decision was taken by the club's safety officer, Dave Pattison, because of the state of roads near the ground. Referee Mike Dean had ruled that the pitch was fit for football.

Mr Stratford said gritters "were successfully deployed" salting the roads despite the volume of rush-hour traffic.

"The decision to call off the game was taken by a safety officer employed by Newcastle United. I understand that Northumbria Police did not request a postponement and the city council was not consulted when the decision was announced publicly at 7.20pm - 25 minutes before kick-off.

"At this time, conditions were no worse than they had been two hours previously."

He said the council would have continued clearing roads during the game, "ensuring a safer journey home".

Mr Stratford said the council did everything it could to keep the roads safe and dismissed claims that the council used less salt than neighbouring authorities.

The club said the postponement was a joint decision with the police and referee in the interests of safety but the police have said the decision was taken by the club alone.