COUNCIL chiefs have doubled the size of their fleet of four-wheel drive vehicles to try and cope with the extreme weather conditions.

The biggest freeze to hit Britain in thirty years is causing major disruption to the nation’s transport network - and, as England’s biggest county, North Yorkshire has more than five thousand miles of highways.

The county council has diverted its fleet of sic Land Rovers, normally used by the Countryside Service, to the department responsible for providing adult social care.

And a further six 4x4 vehicles have been hired to concentrate on delivering services to the upland areas of the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales. Three will be based at Richmond, and three at Kirby Misperton.

If the big freeze continues as forecast, further four-wheel-drive vehicles will also be acquired to enable the council to react to the changing conditions.

"Our top priority during these extreme conditions is to ensure that those people in need of our care and support continue to receive it," said council leader John Weighell.

"The county’s highways teams are working flat-out to keep the major transport routes across the county open and safe for motorists.

"But inevitably, as the bad weather continues, there will be some places which become less easily reached, particularly at higher levels.

"Our four-wheel-drive vehicles will enable us to continue to provide people with the support they need, wherever they live."