GRITTERS are heading out in Southampton and Hampshire this evening as temperatures are set to drop.

Both Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council confirmed that routes will be salted, although the temperature is not forecast to drop to zero in the county.

A Met Office forecast for Southampton says: "Any showery rain will die out overnight with some good clear spells developing.

"A windy start, with occasional gales in coastal areas, but winds falling lighter inland by morning with a frost in places.

"Minimum temperature -2 °C."

It is expected to drop to 2C in both Southampton and Winchester this evening.

Southampton City Council wrote on social media: "Remember to wrap up warm if you venture out tonight, as it's due to get very cold.

"As a result our gritting teams will be out from 8pm on all major routes in the city."

And Hampshire County Council's Highways Team said: "Winter update: We are going to be salting tonight from 7pm across the entire county."