WITH more freezing temperatures due to hit the region this month a village councillor is urging residents to volunteer as salt gritters.

John Nunn, vice-chairman of Long Melford Parish Council, said the last bout of sub-zero conditions left many of the village’s footpaths and streets impassable.

To ensure the same thing does not happen again he is asking people to follow Sudbury’s lead, where more than 200 residents took on the voluntary role of salting their streets.

Mr Nunn said: “It was extremely icy and very treacherous in the village in December. We had cases of people being stuck at home and quite a few accidents due to the ice. It would be wonderful if we could show some community spirit and make sure our village is kept safe and moving when the next cold snap hits.”

Sudbury Town Council made a similar plea last month and were inundated with volunteers from across the town who were prepared to get their shovels out to grit streets and paths.

Residents on streets without salt bins, including those in Pinecroft Rise, clubbed together to pay for new bins which were put in place by community wardens.

Changes to insurance legislation means that residents can now be insured to carry out salt bin tasks through the county council.

Mr Nunn said that anyone in Long Melford interested in volunteering should get in touch as soon as possible to ensure they were ready for another spell of bad weather.

“Suffolk County Council will ensure we have enough grit deposited around the village to get the job done and our village amenities officer Alan Sawyer will be coordinating the operation,” he added.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the role of a salt gritter should call Mr Nunn on 01787 313496.