Large one-tonne bags of gritting salt are being distributed around East Sussex as the county council strives to keep roads and pavements clear of snow.

The hippo bags, which contain around a tonne of gritting salt, are being deployed in central locations in main towns and larger villages by council contractors.

The hippo bags are in addition to the on-going round the clock gritting and clearance work being carried out by the council’s 24 gritting lorries as snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures continue.

The council has put down nearly 2000 tonnes of salt on the county’s roads since the middle of the week as gritting and snow ploughing continues throughout the weekend.

Hippo bags were distributed to more than 40 locations across the county yesterday.

The county council encouraged householders and businesses to help themselves by clearing snow and ice from public areas near their properties.

The council’s assistant director of operations, Karl Taylor, said the hippo bags have been deployed as the bad weather was expected to last for several more days.

He said: "We are doing everything we possibly can to keep the county’s roads and communities moving.

"The hippo bags are being provided for towns and communities to give them the means of helping themselves.

"We hope people will be able to use this salt to help clear pavements, shopping streets, and community areas.

"This will give residents and traders along with our colleagues in the boroughs and districts extra resources before the return to work on Monday morning.”

Hippo bag locations:

1 Eastbourne - Terminus Road

2 Eastbourne Library - Grove Road

3 Hastings - Queens Road pedestrianised area

4 Ringmer - Springett Avenue (by shopping area)

5 Newick - By the Green

6 Wivelsfield Green - Village centre

7 Ditchling - Suitable location in village centre

8 Lewes - Cliffe High Street

9 Lewes - High Street

10 Newhaven - Top of High Street by old post office

11 Seaford - Broad Street (north end nr junction with Sutton Park Road)

12 Seaford - Cemetery, Alfriston Road

13 Hurst Green - Suitable highway location junction A21/A265 (Etchingham Road)

14 Ticehurst - Suitable highway verge location in village centre

15 Robertsbridge - High Street

16 Northiam - Main public car park

17 Rye - Cinque Ports street car park

18 Battle - High Street (junction of Abbey court)

19 Bexhill - Devonshire Square

20 Horam - Suitable highway verge location in village centre

21 Burwash - Public car park on south side of main road

22 Wadhurst - Town centre, Washwell lane car park

23 Herstmonceux - Suitable highway verge location in village centre

24 Alfriston - village centre (memorial) Centre of High Street

25 East Dean - opposite junction with Gilberts Drive

26 East Hoathly - Suitable highway verge location in village centre

27 Buxted - High Street

28 Maresfield - High Street (opposite Church)

29 Polegate - High Street

30 Hailsham - High Street (by pedestrian area)

31 Heathfield - New Parade, inside the car park entrance at Station Road

32 Mayfield - High Street (outside church)

33 Rotherfield - High Street/Church road junction

34 Crowborough - Pine Grove car park

35 Crowborough - grass area opposite Saxonbury Close

36 Crowborough - outside Lower Saxonbury

37 Forest Row - South end of The Square

38 Nutley - High Street

39 Danehill - Junction Horsted Lane and London Road

40 Pevensey Bay - Suitable highway location in village centre

41 Uckfield - the southernmost entrance to the car park