HEREFORD and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has pleaded with drivers to take extra care after a spate of car crashes in the county.

Firefighters responded to the crashes involving 12 vehicles over Friday (December 9) and the weekend, as well as two woodburning stove incidents, said a spokesperson from the service.

The incidents took place amid extreme winter conditions and Met Office yellow weather warnings, among snow, ice, and temperatures well below freezing in various parts of the counties.

The crashes took place across Herefordshire involving vehicle collisions, vehicle and motorcycle fires, vehicles hitting a building and a telegraph pole, and landing on their side, upside down and in a ditch, said the spokesperson.

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"The woodburning stove fires involved a fire in a chimney stack and one extending to roof space, much of which was destroyed," they said.

The Met Office forecast is for the icy weather conditions to continue at least for the next few days, and they have extended the cold weather alert level 3 until 9am on Friday (December 16).

The immediate forecast is for temperatures to fall well below freezing, giving a sharp frost and a risk of icy patches, with freezing fog thickening and re-forming to give some areas a murky night.

Wednesday to Friday is expected to stay cold with sharp overnight frosts.

The spokesperson said the fire service is again urging people to exercise extreme caution as the severe winter weather continues.

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Area commander George Marshall, assistant director for protection, said: "The extreme winter weather is forecast to continue for several days, and is likely to be repeated as winter bites.

"So please take extra care, both to stay safe and avoid putting yourselves, the fire service or other emergency services in unnecessary danger. If you're making necessary road trips, please follow our road safety guidance, and if you're using woodburning stoves, please make sure you've had your chimney swept and there is no wood nearby that could catch fire.

Further safety advice can be found at www.hwfire.org.uk, www.gov.uk/firekills or by calling the prevention team on 0800 032 1155.