EXTRA grit is being offered to parishes and district councils across Cumbria.

Rain has fallen on frozen paths and roads in the region making for chaotic travel conditions and Cumbria Highways hope the extra grit will help communities combat the conditions.

The current risk of more black ice and the difficulties being faced has led Cumbria County Council's Core gritting group to meet this morning, Thursday, and they agreed to contact parish and district councils to provide them with a supply of salt/grit.

It is the first time this winter that the core gritting group has activated the parish gritting scheme after a relatively mild winter so far. The system was formally introduced in 2010 to boost resilience and help communities help themselves, but extra grit was also provided to communities in thewinter of 2009/10.

Coun Tony Markley, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for Highways, said: "We have acted quickly and decisively to try and counter the hazardous conditions and will work closely with local communities if they need more grit.

"It’s a system that has worked well for the last two years and is a successful example of partnership working."

Cumbria County Council encourages the public to use the salt heaps and grit bins dotted around the county to help keep the public highways safe and usable.

During this cold weather, people are being advised to try and look out for and help their neighbours too where possible, particularly those that are especially vulnerable such as the elderly and housebound.

Cumbria NHS are also encouraging old people to stay indoors until conditions improve.

Professor John Ashton, NHS Cumbria's director of public health, said: "We are seeing some of the worst icy conditions in Cumbria for many years.

"Older people are particularly vulnerable to slips and falls and I would strongly encourage that they stay indoors until conditions improve. It is not worth taking the risk and ending up in hospital."