DRIVERS are being warned to take extra care this winter on the roads as Lancashire County Council issue free leaflets full of cold weather driving tips.

The leaflets contain advice and tips on how to be a safer driver throughout the cold winter months and information about the council's gritting programme for the county's roads.

Coun Richard Toon, head of highways and transport also offered advice.

"You never know what's around the next bend, especially in winter," he said.

"Although Lancashire salts a high proportion of its roads when the temperature drops to freezing point, this is no substitute for driving carefully.

"Even if you can see the road has been salted, you should still continue to be cautious -- never assume it is ice-free.

"Salt works by melting ice on the road, but it is only effective when it is kept moving across the whole of the highway by traffic.

"If any rain or snow falls, the salt can be washed away."

The council has produced leaflets for each of the county's 12 districts with detailed maps of which roads drivers can expect to be salted in icy conditions.

The leaflets are free from all County Information Centres.