SNOW champions will be helping to keep Sandwell moving again this winter. with around 7,500 residents armed with snow shovels and salt provided free by the council in case of bad weather.

The volunteers will help by clearing pavements to help others get around their neighbourhoods, as well as clearing paths and driveways for elderly or vulnerable people who might slip on snow or ice.

The 7,000 snow champions already on the books from previous years will have two salt shakers weighing 6kg delivered to their doors over the next month or so.

The council also has 500 new kits – with salt, a shovel and a high visibility vest - available for people who haven’t signed up before.

There is also a limited number of 10kg sacks of salt available for existing champions to collect, on dates to be announced, from Taylors Lane depot,Oldbury.

Sandwell Council Leader Councillor Darren Cooper said: “We didn’t get any snow last winter so our snow champions should still have their shovels and most of their salt left.

"Some forecasters say we're going to have a bad winter, so I think it's really important that we're all prepared to do what we can to help one another.

“What I want to do this year is provide people who are able to clear larger areas where they live with a bigger sack of salt. They’ll need to collect these from our Taylors Lane depot on set dates, which we’ll let people know about nearer the time.

“I’m really proud of how people have all pulled together in previous years to help one another when it snows. Our snow champions have cleared paths and driveways for elderly and vulnerable people and helped clear pavements and routes to school.

“It all helps to keep Sandwell moving, and if it saves just one person a nasty fall, then it’s worth it.”

Applications for new volunteers can be made online at www.sandwell.gov.uk/snowchampions. Existing snow champions do not need to apply again.

The 500 new kits are expected to be claimed quickly and will be given on a first come, first basis only to people who live in Sandwell.