Gritters used on melting Hampshire roads in 30C heat

Gritting lorries have been working on Hampshire's roads, but this time it is not to save motorists from snow chaos.

As temperatures top 30C (86F) some road surfaces are beginning to melt, leaving a sticky top to carriageways.

The county council tweeted that by dusting roads it would ensure bitumen remained "sealed and embedded".

It comes as the Met Office reduced the heatwave warning level for south-east England to Level 2.

The warning alerts healthcare services to help those in high-risk groups such as the elderly and young children.

The Highways Agency, which covers major routes, said it does not have any of its own gritters on standby for the region.

A spokesperson said the roads they cover are designed to withstand a temperature range of -15 (5F) to 60C (140F).