Catchy name given to vehicle after school competition

With icy weather predicted over the next few days, people in north Essex could catch a first glimpse of #RuleGritannia - a newly named vehicle belonging to winter gritting firm De-ice.

The gritting truck was given its catchy title after Maldon-based De-Ice held a competition among local schools to come up with a suitable nickname for its new vehicle. Children at Purleigh Primary School thought up the winning sobriquet.

With its new name emblazoned on the front of its cab, #RuleGritannia will now join the fleet at De-Ice alongside other aptly-named gritting trucks #GrittyMcGritface and #GritterGarbo.

De-ice recently presented a £100 cheque, some bags of salt and a snow shovel to Purleigh Primary School – in readiness for the winter ahead, and to help keep the playground and entrance safer during ice and snow.

Company director Vicky Lopez said: “This has been a fantastic and fun way to share the message of winter safety with the children.”