This is some of the salt stockpiled to help keep us moving if the county is struck by snow and ice.

Thousands of tonnes - 20,000 to be precise - of the stuff is ready and waiting in seven depots, along with 64 spreading machines, to treat Kent's roads should they become too treacherous.

However, actually salting the roads is the final stage of a Kent Highway Services' (KHS) process that starts with watching the weather.

Data from 14 weather stations around the county - including road temperature, air temperature and moisture levels - is merged with a weather forecast dedicated to Kent's roads by a meteorlogical company.

The resulting information is issued to KHS three times a day giving details of any necessary salting action.

Kim Hills, KHS' head of community operations, said: "People often think that salting the roads is about rushing out when the first snowflake falls - but there’s actually a lot of planning involved.

"While Kent residents are tucked up in bed, we’re out and about laying salt to make sure the roads are as safe as possible in winter weather."