Salt kept in communal grit bins should only be used for public areas and never private property, say councils, as Kent's cold snap continues.

Snow risks turning to ice in many parts of the county when temperatures fall overnight, while the Met Office says the Arctic weather currently blasting the UK could remain for much of this week.

Hundreds of salt bins are scattered across Kent, positioned in town centres, on village routes and close to particularly treacherous areas known to be hazardous when icy.

Households can find their nearest bin by using Kent County Council's postcode checker - but a warning on the website reminds visitors that the grit and salt provided in the bins by Kent Highways is not there for private use.

The request reads: "Salt from salt bins is only for use on the public highway, not on private property."

Medway Council offers a similar locator service here while it too asks that people don't use the salt for their own homes. It adds: "Grit is provided in bins at potentially dangerous places such as steep hills or sharp bends. You can use the grit to treat ice and snow on small areas of the road or footway. Grit from the bins is not for use on private drives or paths."

A teaspoon of salt is reportedly all that is needed to defrost around a square metre of ice if used carefully.

Are you liable if someone falls on a path you've cleared?

Many homes and businesses may now be wanting to clear paths and driveways for better access, however some have long feared that if someone has a fall on a surface they have cleared of snow, they risk being held legally liable.

There is no law, says the government, preventing someone from clearing snow or ice from pavement outside a property, on paths leading to a property or public spaces.

It is also very unlikely you would face any legal liability, as long as you are careful to ensure you do not make the pavement or pathway more dangerous than before while clearing. People using areas affected by snow and ice also have responsibility to be careful themselves.

Advice on the government's website explains: "You can clear snow and ice from pavements yourself. It’s unlikely that you’ll be sued or held responsible if someone is injured on a path or pavement if you’ve cleared it carefully."

Seven years ago the 'Good Samaritan' law also came into force to protect people attempting to be good citizens.

The Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Act 2015 helps protect 'good Samaritans' when considering a claim of negligence or a breach of duty and seeks to counteract the perception that people risk being successfully sued if they do something for the common good such as clearing snow from a path in front of their home or trying to help in an emergency.