OXFORDSHIRE’S councils are organising a DIY gritting service to get more roads covered this winter.

Oxfordshire County Council has joined forces with parish and district councils, to install around 130 gritting bins for residents and drivers when icy weather strikes.

County council leader Ian Hudspeth praised them for their efforts.

He said: “The county council already salts 43 per cent of its roads and is always out throughout the winter on the main routes when freezing temperatures strike.

“But there is a great desire in communities around Oxfordshire for people locally to be able to do more to help themselves.”

The county council fills the bins, which have been paid for by the town and parish councils, at the start of each winter.

A free bulk bag of salt weighing almost a tonne is also available free to all town and parish councils.

Beckley and Stowood Parish Council chairman David Scott said: “Beckley gets its share of frost and snow, and we are very grateful.”