Owners get help to recover abandoned cars on motorways

Scotland's largest police force is offering to help drivers recover cars which were abandoned on motorways during Monday's severe weather.

Strathclyde Police said about 60 cars were currently abandoned on the hard shoulders of the M74, M8 and M80.

The force has set up a temporary helpline - 0141 445 2845 - which owners can call prior to recovering their car.

Arrangements will then be made for officers to accompany drivers to retrieve their vehicles safely.

Meanwhile, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said it had attended a "spate of flooding incidents" as temperatures continued to rise following more than a week of freezing conditions.

By 1400 GMT, the service said its crews had attended 71 flood-related incidents since midnight in mainly Glasgow and North Lanarkshire.

Many of these were due to burst pipes, prompting the fire service to remind landlords to switch off water supplies in empty properties.

It also repeated a warning to pet owners, particularly those with dogs, not to walk on iced-over lochs and waterways.