Temperatures have dipped below freezing and left many motorists facing their first scraping of the season this Monday morning (November 23).

Icy roads, frosted-up windscreens and darker mornings all make winter driving a little more treacherous.

Lows of -2C were picked up overnight in Cheshire West and Chester as what had been a mild November bites back.

Related: Cheshire included in cold weather alert issued by Public Health England

The emergency services have issued their tips for staying safe in the cold.

Cheshire Police don’t want you to be an ‘igloo driver’ and make sure your car windows have been properly cleared of ice before setting off.

They also stressed the importance of not leaving a vehicle unattended with the engine running while it heats up.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service have released a list of checks to make sure your car is ready:

  • Keep the lights, windows and mirrors clean and free from ice and snow.
  • Make sure wipers and lights are in good working order.
  • Add anti-freeze to the radiator and winter additive to the windscreen washer bottles.
  • Check tyres have plenty of tread depth and are maintained at the correct pressure.
  • Pack a snow/ice scraper, de-icer, snow shovel, hat, gloves, boots, a torch, bottle of water and a first aid kit. For longer journeys take blankets, a snack and a flask of warm drink.
  • Wash the car frequently to get rid of the salt and dirt which builds up over the winter.
  • Always keep a full tank of fuel, you never know when you might get delayed.
  • Don’t use water to defrost the windows.

Related: Remember times when the River Dee froze over?

For more advice on how to keep safe on the roads in wintry conditions visit the Cheshire Fire website here .