GRIT reserves could run out in two days as a council searches for new suppliers.

Forecasters are predicting the big freeze could continue for up to two weeks.

Local authorities are working around the clock to try to ensure the safety of main routes, but the salt and grit supplies are dwindling and motorists are being warned the treacherous road conditions could get worse.

Health officials are also warning the weather is putting elderly and vulnerable people at risk, and that everyone should do their bit to care for those around them.

Councillor Brian Ward, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: "We currently have enough road salt for around two days and are constantly sourcing new supplies.

"With the wintry weather set to continue we are currently focusing on gritting the major A and B routes in order to keep the city moving. Alternative supplies are also being sourced so that grit bins can be refilled where needed.

"We would urge all residents to take extra care when out and about in the city."

Staffordshire County Council is also feeling the pressure, and has limited its gritting routes to A and B roads only. The authority's Highways Hotline has seen a 10-fold increase in calls and staff are struggling to cope.

Calls peaked at 300 per hour this week. On an average day the team usually deals with around 30 calls per hour.

County Councillor Mike Maryon, cabinet member for Highways, said: "The volume of calls is staggering and we are desperate to ensure real emergency calls are not blocked by minor issues.

"The vast majority of calls are far from vital. These are putting immense pressure on an already stretched resource.

"I would urge residents to consider whether their question is vital."

Roadside grit bins are not being restocked, but county council workers are spreading salt by hand at various "critical" locations around hospitals, GP surgeries and in town centres.

The cold weather is expected to continue with another week of sub-zero temperatures and travel chaos. Parts of the county could get more snow in the cold snap, which has been called the worst in 50 years.

A Met Office spokesman said: "Next week looks set to remain cold or very cold. There will be a good deal of dry weather, especially in the north and west, with occasional wintry showers in the east and the south at times. It will be windy at times bringing significant wind chill. Over the next two weeks overnight frosts and ice will persist with very low minimum temperatures in the North West. The trend from next Sunday looks most likely to start cold."

In the West Midlands, temperatures are not expected to top -1°C today, while last night it dropped to -14°C in some parts of the region.

The North West suffered the same icy temperatures last night, with today's top temperature at 0°C.

In South Cheshire all roads being gritted have been mapped on the council's website. A spokesman said: "All priority routes were gritted twice on Wednesday night and all vehicles were reloaded yesterday morning.

"Officers are salting routes surrounding local schools, day care centres and footways. Grit bins in residential areas are being refilled weekly, and we are managing salt reserves carefully and constantly monitoring the conditions.

"Like every council in the country we are aware that this cold snap could continue. However, with extremely low temperatures set to continue, it should be noted that salt becomes less effective below -5°C."

Health officials are asking people to look after their vulnerable neighbours and relatives.

Tony Bruce, chief executive of NHS North Staffordshire, said: "It is easy to underestimate the effects of cold weather, but it is a very serious threat, particularly for people with heart and respiratory problems, and claims lives every year.

"We are asking people to just take a minute to check their neighbours, family and friends, particularly the elderly and people with health problems, are OK and have everything they need."

In a housing estate in Stapeley, near Nantwich, house alarms were going off overnight because low temperatures triggered the sensors.

John Humphries, a self-employed alarm fitter from Stafford, said: "If house alarms are maintained properly they shouldn't cause problems in cold weather. Most alarms have an operating temperature limit of -30°C, but the batteries in the panels can lose power in cold weather and that can trigger the system."

Wintry weather also caused a water main to burst, but experts were soon on hand to stem the flow. Severn Trent Water spent yesterday afternoon fixing the leak in Mow Lane, Biddulph. A spokesman said: "A section of the road was closed for the afternoon and traffic was diverted for the safety of drivers."

In Bradwell, a motorcyclist was taken to hospital with minor bruising after skidding on ice and falling off his scooter. Police and paramedics were called to the junction of Bradwell Lane and Porthill Bank, at 7.10am yesterday after reports of a one-vehicle collision.

The rider, a man believed to be in his 30s, was put on a spinal board and taken to hospital for further assessment.

Families have also enjoyed having the time to have fun in the snow together.

Adrian Barnett, aged 21, of Norton, built a giant snowman with family and friends. Sister Jodie Barnett, aged 13, said: "He's seven-and-a-half-foot tall and we've called him Frosty."