MOTORISTS are being promised it will be "all systems snow" in the next few days as an Arctic chill continues to grip the county.

Worcestershire County Council is not obliged to grit roads, following a High Court ruling earlier this year.

But lorries have already been dispatched across Worcestershire and more than 50 electronic sensors on main roads are being monitored as staff keep a weather eye out for more snow.

Last night, lorries were sent out twice to grit A-roads and "priority" bus routes.

A spokesman described the outlook for tonight as "unclear", but said lorries were now starting to tackle urban roads.

The council's computerised network transmits a warning when roads start to freeze.

Eight roadside weather stations provide information about temperatures on the roads, cloud conditions, humidity and the presence of dew.

Council workers have also been put on duty to "look for the sparkle".

The fleet of lorries can cover the county's principal roads in three hours, using 26 tonnes of salt and grit.

"Thanks to our staff patrolling the roads throughout the coming nights we will all be able to enjoy the season in safety," said Councillor Tom Wells, the county's portfolio holder for environment and sustainability.

Drivers have been warned by police to take extra care following the outcome of a legal battle between a motorist and East Sussex County Council.

The man was badly injured when his car skidded on an untreated stretch, but a judge said the council was not responsible for gritting each and every road.

More than 700 drivers are killed or injured each winter across the country.

Black ice warning to drivers

MOTORISTS are being urged by police to beware of black ice on county roads as temperatures in the county plummet.

West Mercia police are appealing to drivers to be 'very, very careful' on Worcestershire roads as temperatures fall, especially on minor roads which have not been gritted.

Yesterday morning three fire crews - two from Kidderminster and an emergency tender from Worcester - freed a motorist and passenger after the Citroen Xantia in which they were travelling overturned when it hit ice in Walton Lane, Hartlebury.

The two were taken to Ronkswood A&E, Worcester, with shock and minor injuries.

Police closed the road for an hour to allow the emergency services to deal with the accident.

"We would appeal to motorists to be very, very careful," said Caroline Schubert, of Kidderminster police.

"Motorists must be especially careful when driving on roads which haven't been gritted."