A brand new scheme to keep Blackburn's roads ice free is to be piloted by a local community group.

Members of the Shear Brow Community Association (SBCA) have invested in a 'pioneering' technique to testt ice treatments on footways and pavements.

The group plan to use Safethaw, which is a liquid de-icer and a new alternative to the traditional rock salt. The product helps to stop the bond between ice and the pavement surface.

Sabbir Mohmed who is vice chairman of the SBCA said: "This is truly ground breaking, and Shear Brow CA has shown great initiative in seeking ways of addressing problems with continuous shortage of UK rock salt

"We have experienced two very severe winters in recent years, which has resulted in UK salt stocks being severely depleted, leaving many roads and pedestrian areas untreated."

The group plan to lobby the campaign to the local authorities if the trial runs smoothly.