GRITTING lorries were out in East Hampshire last weekend - not to save motorists from snow chaos but from roads that were melting in the heatwave.

As weekend temperatures topped 30C (86F), some road surfaces in and around Bordon were among 12 reported across Hampshire which were beginning to melt, leaving a sticky top to carriageways.

Sean Woodward, Hampshire County Council's executive member for economy, transport and environment, said: "While this hot weather is a welcome change from the usual English summer, it does have the potential to cause us some difficulties.

"The county council (highways authority) and its term maintenance contractor, Amey, are monitoring road surfaces and dusting those that cause concern with crushed aggregate.

"Most of the roads in Hampshire are surfaced in bitumen-based materials. Although durable, in very hot weather the road surface temperature can reach more than 45C (112F) and this can, on occasions, cause the bitumen to soften and rise to the surface.

"So far during the hot spell, this has not been a significant problem and where we have had concerns we have spread crushed aggregate to the surface to reduce the effects of the heat and resolve the problem.

"We will continue to monitor Hampshire's highways and take action where necessary."

Roads affected included the B3004 Forge Road in Kingsley; Pococks Lane, Vicarage Lane and Hawkley Road, all in Hawkley, and Gilbert Street at Ropley, among others.