FROST bites Wirral hard as road traffic accidents are up by more than 50 per cent in the first week of January.

And Merseyside Ambulance Service have issued a warning to drivers across the borough urging them to allow more time for short and long distance journeys.

A spokesman for Mersey-side Ambulance Service said: "There were 36 calls to road accidents in the first eight days of the year compared to only 17 last year.

"This is a significant increase and there is no doubt it is down to the adverse weather conditions we have been experiencing.

"It is extremely important that people slow down when driving on icy roads and leave greater distances between them and the vehicle in front of them."

Call-outs to people as a result of falls were up by 16 per cent on last year.