NAC was snowed under with entries to their ‘Name a Gritter’ competition.

It follows a call issued last month to local primary schools asking for their help in naming the Council’s four new gritting vehicles in time for Christmas.

And young people from all across North Ayrshire got involved with a staggering 1,875 suggestions submitted.

The suggestions were then whittled down to a top six and included in a poll on the @RoadSafetyNAC Twitter account for followers to decide on their favourites.

And now the following lucky winners have been announced:

· Snowlaf – Tamsin Williamson, P2 pupil at Glebe Primary

· Ice Blaster – Reece Banks, P3 pupil at St John’s Primary

· Frostbite Frank – Serena Morris, P6 pupil at St Bridget’s Primary

· Grittinator – Cruz Beatie, P6 pupil at Dykesmain Primary

Last Thursday, the four pupils were invited to the Council’s Roads Depot in Kilwinning to see the new vehicles for themselves - each with their new name proudly displayed across the doors and above the windscreen.

The new gritters will join the fleet of 17 multi-purpose vehicles available 24/7 to keep the area’s priority routes in use throughout winter.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member for Place, said: “We are delighted to confirm what our new gritters will be called and can’t thank all the pupils enough for their suggestions.

“These aptly named vehicles will now join our fleet of winter motors helping to keep our roads safe this winter.

“So keep an eye out for Ice Blaster, Snowlaf, Frostbite Frank and Grittinator on our roads over the next few months.”