MOTORISTS are being urged to take more care as the number of road accidents spiral on Teesside.

Mark Whelan, director of operations with Cleveland Fire Brigade said: "In 2001 we attended 432 road traffic accidents, in 2002 the number increased to 466, and in 2003 we were called out to 482 incidents."

Firefighters rescued 93 people from road accidents last year and ten people died at the scene of accidents.

Mr Whelan said ways had to be found to reduce the number of crashes.

He said: "If we can help improve road safety by making motorists more aware of the increased dangers of driving in poor weather conditions then, hopefully, we can make an impact in this important area of preventative work."

Firefighters were called to 14 accidents in the last week of February, when snow and ice made driving conditions treacherous.

In incidents between February 23 and 29, fire crews had to use cutting equipment to free passengers trapped in car wrecks.

Inspector Steve Lawson, head of Cleveland Police road traffic department, said it ardently supported the fire brigade appeal for care on the roads. "Obviously the weather conditions we had a month ago can create problems on the roads and we would ask motorists to drive in accordance with the conditions."