Motorists have been warned to only travel if 'absolutely necessary'.

Cheshire East has been covered in a blanket of snow overnight.

With temperatures well below zero, and set to stay that way for the foreseeable future, Cheshire East Council has warned that the gritting carried out overnight may not have been as effective.

As such, residents are being urged not to get behind the wheel, if it can be avoided.

A spokesperson for the council said: "All our gritting routes were treated yesterday at 2pm and again at midnight and our gritters are currently out carrying out additional gritting on main routes to help keep the network moving.

"The temperatures across some parts of the borough last night were so low though that it has impacted the effectiveness of the salt we grit with – salt becomes less effective from -5 degrees and stops working once temperatures reach -10 degrees.

"Please remember that not all roads across the borough are gritted. We prioritise main roads, bus routes, and access to hospitals and schools – focusing our resources where they're needed most.

"For salt to be most effective, it needs to be spread and vehicles to be driven over it before ice has begun to form.

"Please only travel if it is absolutely necessary and if you do need to, take care, especially on untreated routes."

Cheshire Police have also taken to social media to urge residents to take care.

"As most of you are already aware, the majority of roads across the county have coverings of snow and ice this morning," read a Facebook post from the force.

"Patrol officers have been out battling the conditions throughout the night.

"Please only travel this morning if its necessary.

"We do agree the snow does look very festive, but please look out for each other on the roads."