Gritters named Taylor Drift and Ctrl-Salt-Delete

Ctrl-Salt-Delete and Gritty Gritty Bang Bang will join the 45-strong fleet

Taylor Drift, SnOasis and Ctrl-Salt-Delete are among the names chosen for 10 new gritters set for Lancashire's roads this winter.

The names were chosen as part of a council competition to name the machines, which will now join the county's 45-strong fleet.

Also chosen were Gritty Gritty Bang Bang, Gritzilla, I Skid You Not, Professor Dumblethaw, Ready Salted, The Greatest Snowman and Walter the Salter.

Warren Goldsworthy, cabinet member for highways and transport, said people had "shown their boundless creativity and come up with some brilliant names for our new gritters".

'Vital service'

Goldsworthy, who picked the winners alongside Matt Townsend, director of highways and transport, said: We had a great response to the competition thanks to everyone who took the time to submit a suggestion.

"I look forward to seeing these new personalities helping to keep our roads safe as the weather turns colder."

He added: "The gritters are among our hardest-working vehicles – investing in their upkeep, and replacing them when we need to, is vital to make sure we can reliably deliver this vital service."

The competition to name the new gritters was launched last month, as 10 of the old vehicles were set to be replaced.

The new gritters feature the latest technology which automatically controls where and how much grit is spread, ensuring salt is used efficiently and routes are treated consistently.

Together they are capable of treating 1,700 miles (2,735km) of priority routes whenever a freeze is forecast.

Previously, gritters in the county have been named Snow Be Gone Kenobi, Freezy Rider and Snowella de Vil.