Councils across Wales are to get an extra £8 million of funding to help cover the cost of the recent big freeze.

The additional money from the Welsh Assembly Government will assist local authorities to deal with urgent road repairs and refill their salt stock levels.

It comes on top of the £7 million announced last week to fix potholes, bringing the total amount of extra funding specifically to support councils following the recent snow to £15 million this year.

This is in addition to the £5 million capital Road Maintenance Grant the Assembly Government has already given councils to maintain their road network.

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Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "All across Wales we have recently experienced some exceptionally cold weather with heavy snow which has put unexpected pressures on local authorities' budgets. Councils' salt supplies were severely diminished and potholes have developed on many roads.

"This new money will help councils across the country repair their roads and restock their salt supplies. This money has been found from careful and prudent management of in-year resources.

"During the bad weather we worked closely with councils through the severe conditions to keep our transport network open and I have already thanked everyone for their efforts.

"Despite councils throughout Wales increasing salt stocks in advance of the winter season, the severity and duration of the exceptionally cold weather combined with the heavy snowfall had a significant impact on salt reserves."

(CD/GK)