The measure has been introduced in case of school closures during winter

Although the first snow of winter has yet to fall in Fife, the council is already planning for possible gridlock.

Just under 400 mobile phone users in the area have already registered for the "winter centre" service.

And Fife Council says it is confident that by the start of the New Year, the figure will have risen again.

Councillor Drew Edward said it was vital for the council to invest in new technlogy in order to give residents a wider choice in accessing information on local authority services.

He added: "Mobile phones are now common and the popularity of texting is rising not just among young people, but also their parents.

"It's important that when a school is closed, their parents get this information quickly and easily."

The council says it is very easy to use the text alerts.

As soon as a headteacher has registered a school as being closed, information is sent automatically to a number of outlets, including;

• radio and televsion stations

• Ceefax and Teletext

• the council's winter line

• personal email addresses

• and to pre-registered mobile phone numbers.

Councillor Edward said the service was a pilot one, but if successful it may develop next year to include other services such as roads or council offices.

Those wishing to register for the text alerts should log onto the council's winter centre website.