With The Beast from the East hitting the region, it's important to be careful when out and about on the paths.

Here are seven tips from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to make your journey easier and to ensure sure you get from A to B safely.

1. Wear sturdy footwear with a good grip – you can change into other shoes at your destination.

2. Use Nordic walking poles (or similar) if you have them.

3. Take it slowly and allow yourself extra journey time – a last-minute dash to catch the bus could be a slippery disaster.

4. Keep an eye on what's underfoot. Some places will remain icy for longer than others, e.g. places that don't get the sun.

5. If you have elderly or disabled neighbours, or even neighbours who are new mums, offer to go to the shops for them.

6. If councils have provided grit bins, use them – but don't remove vast quantities for your own use.

7. Of course, as well as slips and trips on pavements and in public places, many people fall on their own footpaths and driveways. Take care in these places too – it may be worth buying some sand, salt or grit so you can scatter it on your drive etc when wintry conditions are forecast.

For more information and advice on preventing falls, visit www.ageuk.org.uk/falls or call Age UK Advice free on 0800 169 6565.