GRITTING lorries were out in East Lancashire at the weekend to give drivers extra protection against the plummeting temperatures.

Around Blackburn and Darwen, roads were closed or blocked by accidents, and a 16-year-old girl was taken to hospital after being hit by a car.

The temperature fell to about minus five degrees, and police issued a warning to motorists.

Inspector Steve Haworth of Blackburn police said: "Drivers need to be aware that in icy conditions not all roads will be gritted. It can be extremely dangerous.

"Drivers are warned to drive at speeds which are conducive to the conditions, which in ice is slowly."

Teenager Nicola Atkinson of Prospect Gardens, Darwen, suffered leg and head injuries which are not said to be serious, in an accident at about 10pm on Friday.

The 16-year-old was hit by a car at the junction of Bolton Road and Knowsley Road, and taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Her parents were with her in hospital.

On Broadhead Road, Hoddlesden, a Blue Citroen Saxo skidded on black ice. The driver, from Bolton, was not injured in the accident, but police called in Blackburn with Darwen's gritters.

And Stonebank Road, near Belmont, was blocked for a short time after an accident.