FOLLOWING a day of dealing with stranded vehicles and collisions, police in Ryedale are urging motorists to take extra care on rural roads.

Their warning comes after wintry weather has set in across the district.

At about 11am this morning, police said a family with two very young children in a Nissan Qashqai became stuck in snow on Bulmer Hill, between Sheriff Hutton and Bulmer.

Distressed, they called the police.

Two officers, who were due to police protests at Kirby Misperton, had been redeployed to other duties in Ryedale earlier that day – and were in the area in a 4x4 police vehicle at the time.

When the two officers arrived at Bulmer Hill at 11.20am, a further two vehicles had also become stuck there.

The officers helped to grit the road, and gave the family a lift home so their car could be recovered later.

Police in Whitby also spent a busy shift helping to clear stranded lorries and cars on the A171 Guisborough Road, as well as dealing with stuck vehicles and collisions in many other parts of the county.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “As the cold weather closes in, it's extremely important to prepare your vehicle for driving in wintry conditions, and take extra care on the roads.”

Police offer this simple advice:

• Check brakes, lights, wiper blades, and oil and washer fluid levels
• Ensure tyres meet legal requirements – and preferably a tread depth of 3mm
• Carry water and de-icer in the car with you
• If you are going on a longer journey, bring food, hot drinks, blankets and a fully-charged mobile phone
• Always clear your windscreen properly of ice and snow before setting off

For more winter driving advice, include video tips from police driver trainers, visit the North Yorkshire Police website: northyorkshire.police.uk/winterdriving.