Somerset Council and its highways contractor Kier held a competition for local schools to name two new road gritters which have joined the fleet.

Around 30 names were submitted, and Brymore Academy’s ‘Gritty Gritty Bang Bang’ was one of the two winning entries decided by public vote.

The gritter paid an honorary visit to the school and pupils were able to take a closer look at the vehicle which will be helping keep the county’s roads safe this winter.

The school’s headteacher, Stefan McHale, said: ‘We were all very excited to meet Gritty Gritty Bang Bang. The pupils loved it and were extremely interested in the vehicle, especially those with a keen interest in farming and mechanics.’

Cllr Richard Wilkins, lead member for Transport and Waste, added: ‘We are excited to welcome Gritty Gritty Bang Bang into the gritter fleet. The road-gritter teams are essential and carry out heroic work to keep our roads safe and we hope to see it in action toot-sweet.’

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