A fleet of gritting lorries fitted with journey-recording computers has been unveiled by West Berkshire Council.

There are five new vehicles and two refurbished lorries which have global positioning technology installed.

The technology automatically records which roads have been gritted.

Council chairman Mollie Lock said: "Salting the roads when ice is forecast can help improve conditions for motorists.

'Safer driving'

"But motorists must drive carefully in order to remain safe and the council has published a leaflet full of helpful tips about driving in winter."

The 'Safer Driving' leaflet includes details of the main gritting routes.

In preparation for the winter weather extra grit bins are also being placed near roads across the district.

West Berkshire Council has added 11 extra roads to its primary gritting route, which increases its network to 242 miles.

There is another 166-mile network of extra roads, which are gritted during periods of continuous sub-zero temperatures or snow.

The gritting operation for the whole winter costs the council about �500,000.

The Highways Agency is responsible for gritting motorways and major trunk roads.