GRIT bins and heaps will be removed from some streets in Ryedale as part of a review into North Yorkshire County Council's winter weather service.

The authority is axing an unknown number of containers in Harrogate, Richmondshire, Scarborough and Ryedale as part of the changes, to bring them in line with the rest of the county.

Bins will only remain in place if they meet criteria, which looks at the severity of a road's bend, its gradient, traffic levels, how many pedestrians use it and whether the area is already a priority gritting route.

Controversial changes have already been made in Craven, Selby and Hambleton, with the authority claiming the latest changes are intended to "create consistency" in North Yorkshire.

The county council, which is in the middle of a £170 million savings programme, says the county has at least five times the provision of grit bins and heaps compared to other local authorities across the country.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, North Yorkshire’s executive member for Highways, said: "North Yorkshire has an excellent winter maintenance programme and these changes, though making savings, ensure that grit bins remain in those places where they are most needed.

"Moreover we have a track record in working with communities that want to enhance further the local gritting operation.

Parish councils keen to keep bins deemed surplus to requirements will have opportunity to pay an annual maintenance fee of £75, which will see it filled twice over the course of the winter.

This can be arranged as part of the council’s winter partnership scheme, which allows parish councils to support a level of maintenance by bringing together volunteers.

It has already been used in Riccall when residents set up their own 'snow patrol' in 2011 and cleared footpaths in icy conditions, while a similar group known as The Grit Squad operates in South Milford.

Parish councils can also buy extra grit bins for £50 plus a £75 annual charge for two refills.