Fewer roads in County Durham are to be gritted this winter due to cutbacks of more �400, 000.

Durham County Council says it needs to reduce its winter road maintenance budget to help meet costs in children's services and care for the elderly.

The result is that some roads will not be gritted in advance of cold weather.

The council says that despite the cutbacks, Durham is better served than many other parts of the country.

'Essential maintenance'

Hardest hit parts of the county will be housing estates and some industrial estates.

The Automobile Association (AA) has said the move could have been avoided.

AA spokeswoman Denise Raven said: "It is a pity when councils decide to cut back on essential maintenance of roads.

"Although we have not had particularly harsh winters recently, this can soon change."

Government figures

"It is minor roads where you get bumps and shunts and with children walking to school early morning, there is a danger."

The council has said its pre-salting programme covered 50% of its 2,200-miles network of roads.

The figure will be cut to 39%, which is more than the 26-38% range recommended by the Audit Commission.

The council said many known frost pockets are already provided with salt bins or salt heaps for drivers to use.