Agatha Gritstie, Inspector Norse top gritter list

Radiospread, Agatha Gritstie and Inspector Norse are among the names chosen to adorn a council fleet of 30 gritters.

Oxfordshire County Council said its gritter drivers sifted through about 1,500 suggestions after announcing a competition to name the lorries.

Many of the "pun-tastic" names were inspired by Oxfordshire leaders, writers, scientists, musicians, locations and sports stars.

Another winning name was Snowy Beauchamp, in honour of the late Oxford United footballer Joey Beauchamp.

Wartime prime minister Sir Winston Chur-chill and his Woodstock birthplace of Blenheim Pal-ice also made the cut, along with Wantage-born King Alfred the Grit.

While landmarks Shotover Hill and the Wittenham Clumps were turned into Shotover Chill and Grittenham Clumps.

BBC Radio Oxford revealed three winning names suggested by listeners.

Pupils from the schools closest to the council's gritting depots – Woodcote Primary, Deddington CE Primary and Drayton Community Primary – also chose three names each.

Two vehicles were named in tribute to gritter drivers and supervisors who died recently.

County council cabinet member for transport Andrew Gant said it had been "great fun and Oxfordshire's residents have come up with some wonderful ideas".

The full list of the names is on the council's website.

Residents can also follow the newly-named vehicles through an online gritter tracker.

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