TWO new gritters will be deployed across Somerset this winter – but not before they’ve been given suitable names.

School pupils across the county have been challenged to come up with a name for each of Somerset’s new gritters as part of Somerset Council’s drive to raise awareness of winter road safety and to give the new fleet some personality.

Once a shortlist of potential names is drawn up by the council, the public will be asked to vote for their favourite two, with the chosen names emblazoned on the side of the vehicles.

A similar competition was held in Scotland last year, with names such as Sled Zepplin, Basil Salty and For Your Ice Only chosen for the gritters.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s lead member for transport and digital, said: “It’s a great opportunity for local children to get involved in naming the road gritters.

“It gives us a great platform to educate schools and families on the importance of gritters and road safety in extremely cold conditions.

“I can’t wait to see the creative names the children come up with and see some new gritters on the road this winter.”

All schools in Somerset are invited to take part in the competition which ends on October 11. The public vote will take place on Somerset Council’s social media.

Last year, over six consecutive days, one gritter covered 10,500 miles and used 1566 tonnes of salt, equivalent to the weight of five Boeing 747s.

Somerset Council has a fleet of 23 gritting vehicles.