Amber and yellow weather warnings for snow issued by the Met Office have meant Herts County Council's gritting lorries have been busy over the last few days.

The country's weather forecaster has explained that heavy snow, gale-force winds and sub-zero temperatures are as a result of bitterly cold strong easterly winds from the Ukraine reaching the UK.

Between Saturday and lunchtime today, Monday, the county's gritter teams will have spread 1,800 tonnes of grit across 9,000 miles of Hertfordshire roads.

A council spokesperson said: "Thank you to our gritting teams working through the night to ensure the county remains safe.

"Please only make essential journeys. Today we are expecting some high winds and with powdery snow this can sometimes drift back onto roads, especially in open areas.

"The farmers have been mobilised should we need to work in partnership and use any snow ploughs."

Rapid testing sites across the county for those without symptoms are open as usual while libraries and registrars are also open.