GRITTING lorries were out on the roads of East Lancashire this morning as the county prepared for snow.

The move was a precaution after weather forecasters predicted wintry conditions in the afternoon followed by ice forming in the evening.

Lancashire County Council's fleet of 45 gritters payed particular attention to roads in the east and north of the county ahead of a band of rain, sleet and snow which was due to hit the county during the afternoon.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough's were also sent out this morning,

The move followed the Met Office had issued a yellow warning for snow, with the local forecast for Lancashire showing that patchy sleet and wet snow is due to move in from the west by around midday, continuing during the afternoon and the evening with temperatures hovering around zero on high ground with the risk of ice.

And at around 2.30pm, as predicted, snow did in fact fall for the first time in 2019, in Blackburn town centre. 

However, it was a far cry from the Beast from the East, as the snowflakes that did appear quickly turned to rain, melting before having chance to stick.

Forecasters expect it will turn dry overnight with temperatures rising above zero.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "Our gritting crews are already treating routes in areas which forecasts show could be affected by this afternoon's weather front.

"They are are treating all the main gritting routes in the east of the county, and will be patrolling some of the routes in the north in case they are affected, with decisions to be made about gritting in other areas according to the lunchtime forecast.

"We'd ask people to leave extra time for their journeys, take care, and drive according to the conditions.

"This morning's forecast is for any snow to only affect higher routes, however we will take any further action as necessary as the situation develops."