PUPILS from Netherthird Primary School looked to the stars as they helped name Ayrshire Roads Alliance’s gritters for their new gritter tracker.

ARA have recently launched a new online tracker – Track my Gritter – which allows residents to view gritters operating across East and South Ayrshire between 4pm and 8am over the winter.

To celebrate, school pupils were asked to name the gritters and Netherthird were top of the class, coming up with two of the names selected.

Sydney Mullen (P7) and Harry Mullen (P2/3) welcome their specially named gritter, Meltin’ John to Netherthird Primary when they received a sledge as a small prize for coming up with such a brilliant name along with Alex Rutherford from the early childhood centre whose suggestion Spready Mercury was also selected.

Councillor Jim Roberts, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure said: “The children came up with some amazing names that really made us laugh. The gritters have been named virtually, on the Track my Gritter map and, just for the children, have had their name printed on the front of each vehicle.”

Spready Mercury, Meltin' John, Gritney Spears and Arianna Gritty will be coming to a street near you this winter and in the coming weeks, the gritters will be visiting each of the primary schools and early childhood centres that have helped to give them their special names.

Councillor Roberts added: “Our pupils have been really excited and enthusiastic about helping to name the gritters and they can’t wait to welcome their own gritter to their school before the Christmas break.

“All fun aside, Track my Gritter is a great resource for our residents. During the winter months, our gritters can be out in all weathers, with teams from the Alliance providing an excellent service to our local communities day and night. For the first time, you can now follow the gritters operating in your area from 4pm until 8am the next morning.

“The system, which is available on the ARA website, will provide a bit of reassurance to communities and also give an insight into the extensive gritting service provided by the alliance during the winter months.”

Scotland TranServ is responsible for all trunk road maintenance, including the winter service on the A76.