CUMBRIA Police have urged all Twitter users to sign up to receive alerts - in the wake of recent adverse weather conditions.

The force has used the social media site extensively in recent weeks to inform the public of road closures and flooded areas.

The free service can be used in incidents to highlight time-critical content.

Chief Superintendent Steve Johnson said: "We provide the public with all kinds of information, from road closures to the sentencing of criminals at court.

"This alert system will allow us to ensure that those messages that are vital to public safety are seen first.

"When we are dealing with a serious or major incident, such as severe flooding, we will be able to send a Twitter alert and it will immediately be delivered to all subscribers as a text message or a special notification from their Twitter application.

"This will help to ensure that the most important information is brought to their attention and enable people to take any necessary action and inform friends and family members who could be affected but are not on Twitter.

"It is a free service that will support us in delivering key messages to the public during critical incidents."

To sign up to Twitter alerts, visit: www.twitter.com/Cumbriapolice/alerts