Gritting lorries are set to hit the road tonight as temperatures are forecast to plummet.

Main roads across Kent will be gritted as road surface temperatures are expected to fall below freezing point overnight.

Kent County Council have today issued a gritting alert, warning drivers to "plan ahead, drive slower and brake in good time".

According to the Met Office website the temperature in places such as Folkestone and Ashford is expected to fall to 3C in the early hours tomorrow.

Elsewhere in Kent, temperatures are unlikely to rise above 5C overnight.

With bitter winds also expected, the Met Office predicts it will feel closer to freezing from around 9pm this evening.

Gritters were sent out to treat primary routes in the county three times last week.

A spokesman for Kent County Council said: "Motorists are advised to watch out for icy patches/stretches particularly on the untreated roads overnight and into tomorrow morning, and should expect the surface to be slippery.

"They should drive cautiously and be deliberate and slower in actions and not be surprised by 'sudden' traffic light changes or other vehicles braking.

"Harsh braking, harsh steering or harsh acceleration are key precursors to skidding on ice and snow."