THE police have explained the reasons behind a decision to keep one of the region's most exposed roads closed for five days.

While many areas are experiencing a thaw in recent days, the A66, which connects County Durham to Cumbria has been closed since January 9.

It is also due to remain closed tomorrow - with gates blocking the carriageway at Bowes, near Barnard Castle and at Brough in Cumbria.

Despite efforts of workers from the Highways Agency, the road is still covered in ice - with the freezing temperatures rendering grit useless and snow drifting across the carriageway as it crosses the high-lying Stainmore.

Inspector Ed Turner, of Durham Police's Road Policing Unit, said: "We have now had four weeks of these unprecedented weather conditions.

"The A66 is so exposed that the weather here is even more extreme than in other parts of the county.

"It is obviously a main arterial route and keeping it closed may inconvenience people slightly but the road is still very dangerous."

Farmers who live along the stretch of closed A66 can open the gate which shuts the carriageway but even so, the closure still causes problems.

Peter Raine, from Coach and Horse Farm, said the feed for his 1,400 sheep is due to run out tomorrow.

"Nothing can get along the road to deliver the feed so at the moment we are a little bit worried.

"I can't blame them for shutting the road but it needs salt and there just isn't any."

Insp Turner said residents or farmers who have problems such as Mr Raine's should contact the police who may be able to help.

Police have also urged drivers not to use minor roads as an alternative route suggest by sat navs. Often the B-class roads are in a worse condition than major routes.