A TOWN council has got prepared in case of another Beast for the East cold-snap this winter.

Harwich Town Council has arranged for two pallets of salt to be be delivered to the Harwich Mayflower Heritage Centre - a total of two tonnes made up in 80 bags of 25kg.

Leaflets have also been handed out to businesses in Dovercourt town centre and Historic Harwich with details of how to collect the salt to use outside their shops and on pathways nearby to help shoppers during icy conditions.

Harwich councillor Ivan Henderson led a working party to improve how the snowy weather is dealt with.

He said: “We wanted to make sure we have salt available in the town centre and in Old Harwich.

“We wanted a better procedure than last year where pallets were in the high street and just disappeared - people just took it.

“It was so bad last year, they had run out in the town centre but there was some at the Mayflower Heritage Centre - I had to hope the fence and pass it over and then we were trying top drop it off and spread it around.

“This year the centre has agreed to take the phone calls and be there to take note of what is taken away.”

He added: “This salt is not for residential use, it’s to make sure if they need to get to the shops, those businesses can make sure it’s as safe as possible outside their premises.”

Mr Henderson thanked town councillors for delivering the leaflets.