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When snow starts to fall there is a secret weapon hidden in the rural lanes which help to keep Kent moving.

A network of 114 farmers can be deployed by Kent County Council to clear the county’s roads of the white stuff whenever it falls.

Their efforts mean KCC’s own gritters can concentrate on clearing the main routes, reducing the risk of severe ice forming.

Trials in Maidstone and Sevenoaks are also continuing this year to see how farmers can play a part in gritting some of the more rural areas.

Raymond Butler, of Noons Farm in Chart Sutton, is one of those who can be called upon to mobilise his two ploughs in the Maidstone and Tonbridge & Malling districts.

“We’ve been doing snow ploughing for KCC for about 35 years,” said the 53-year-old.

“The rural roads are just as important to get cleared as the more main roads are.

“When we helped to clear snow in February, we were doing 12-to-13-hour days. We do all the rural roads, around the lanes, and if there’s a problem on major roads, we might get a call to help out there as well.

“They need to be made as clear as possible in case the emergency services need to get through to help someone, as well as ensuring people can go about their business as far as possible.”

Farmers will go out to plough in their area when snow is at least 50mm.

Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, David Brazier, said: “Our experience has shown that farmers play a pivotal role in helping us to keep Kent moving when snow falls.

“We have a network of 114 farmers and plant operators which we equip with snow ploughs every year to ensure we are able to clear rural areas. This allows our conventional gritters to concentrate on our key primary roads.

“In the past five years we have had at least three county-wide snow emergencies where we have been assisted by our farming communities. The county has a diverse road network, and we recognise how essential it is to make sure rural routes are as clear as possible.”

KCC is digitising routes covered by farmers, to help better track resources.