GRITTERS will be on the roads for the first time this winter tonight.

Blackburn with Darwen Road posted on social media about the news of sub-zero temperatures and how gritting will start on road at 6pm. 

A statement said: "Well this came back around quickly! This is our first formal gritting operation of the 2020/2021 season.

"Nothing too much to shout about just yet, as temperatures are set to recover over the weekend and into next week so our gritters will be put back to bed after tonight

"The road surface temperatures are around zero tonight and over the next 24 hours.

"The minimum temperature will be -0.4C and the sub-zero period is from Friday at 10pm to midnight on Saturday.

"There were hazards will be frost and ice.

"Forecast: Partially cloudy this afternoon with some bright spells.

"Staying dry this evening, with patchy cloud and clear spells, allowing the road surface temperatures to drop around zero with the risk of icy patches and hoar frost in places.

"Gradually turning cloudier from the south in the early hours, allowing the surface temperatures to slowly recover.

"Confidence forecast is rather low, due to uncertainty on cloud amount this evening and the timing for more solid cloud to arrive from the south as the night progresses. Fairly cloudy but largely dry tomorrow morning."