IT WAS all hands to the shovel when council staff took to the streets earlier this month to help keep the borough moving.

Street cleaners, parks staff, refuse crews, caretakers and highways teams were re-directed from their normal duties to spread grit with shovels to clear the snow and ice.

Around 250 staff helped make the fronts of schools, heath centres and some shopping parades safe for pedestrians.

Over the course of a week they shifted around 300 tonnes of grit.

Cllr Gerald Vincent, cabinet member for environment, said: “During the freezing weather our staff did an absolutely sterling job in very difficult conditions and we all owe them a debt of thanks. It was a tremendous team effort.

“There is more freezing weather predicted so we will continue to be vigilant in case the snow pays us another visit.”

Advice on clearing snow, plus details of gritting routes, is available on the council website. Grit barns are in place around the borough for residents and businesses to use.