It's true we've been struggling on side roads for the past few weeks with untreated stretches. We're also told gritting will have to be 'rationed' because of the shortage of salt.

I was left amazed and somewhat bewildered when on Saturday evening at approximately 8.30pm, as I was driving in Cawood Road between Sherburn and Cawood, I saw a grit wagon approaching in the opposite direction with it's flashing light on. And, sure enough, it was spreading grit. I can confirm it was spreading grit because as I passed it, my car was showered with grit.

So why should I be amazed and bewildered? Well, the outside temperature indicated on my car's instrument display was an almost 'tropical' ten degrees! Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny and far from freezing.

Perhaps North Yorkshire County Council can explain why it appears to be gritting when it was clearly not necessary.

Barry Lumb, Wistow