A caring road safety enthusiast had a dream come true when he visited a depot to learn all about gritting.

Paul Fagg, who has autism, was invited to tour the Kent County Council Ashford Highway depot at Henwood on Monday afternoon to sit in a gritter and talk to staff members about the work they do in making the roads safer in winter weather.

The 22-year-old from Seabrook, near Hythe has been interested in gritting and winter road maintenance in order to protect the public since he was 13.

He keeps a close eye on the weather forecast to see whether he can help grit the paths and roads near where he lives, using salt from the public bins.

Clive Lofting, highways steward for Shepway, found out about Paul’s interest when he made him aware of bins that weren’t full up around Seabrook.

He said: “We as Kent County Council will assess whether it needs filling up or not. If it’s empty, we will refill it, but obviously we try and keep it topped up for him to keep him happy.

“He’s got a thing of going in there and spreading it on the footpaths and the roads where the gritters don’t touch.

“I thought it would be nice for him to come and have a look at the yard and the depot and see where it all happens.

“He’s in his element. He loves it. He’s disappointed when the gritters don’t go out. He wants them to go out every night!”

Selfless Paul sometimes goes out for hours at a time in the middle of the night with the salt from the public bins to visit streets that aren’t reached by gritters.

Paul said: “It’s been an amazing experience.

“It keeps the roads safe and it stops people hurting themselves.

“I keep the public safe and keep the network open all the time ... people should slow down.

“I would like to work for either Highways or Kent County Council driving a gritter lorry. I really enjoy it.”

Paul said if he ever wins the lottery he will buy a lorry for himself to continue his good work.