NORTH Yorkshire County Council has pledged it will keep the county's roads clear as snow continues to fall.

So far, the council has taken stock of 55,000 tonnes of salt and placed 8,000 grit heaps and bins.

Gritters are also on call, 24-hours a day whilst duty managers and overnight patrols are on standby in case weather worsens.

North Yorkshire County Council's, Don Mackenzie said: "The county council places the highest priority on winter maintenance across our vast road network, one of the largest in the country.

"Coping with severe winter weather on a big road network is a complex operation, but it is a top priority to keep the county on the move, We will grit as required to keep our highways open.

"Our first priority is major routes which connect or go through the county’s towns and we will clear these before moving on to our second level of priority routes which give access to smaller communities."

Cllr Mackenzie also reminded drivers to take extra care during the cold snap.

Parts of Swaledale,Wensleydale and the North York Moors have been cleared of snow by farmer contractors.

The winter preparations are part of a winter maintenance budget of £7m.

The budget has already paid for the gritting of 54 percent of England's roads.