Preston's 'Spreaddie Flintoff" among stars whose names have been borrowed for winter gritters

A new fleet of eight gritters in Manchester have been named by the public after a Twitter poll.
By Iain Lynn
Published 9th Jan 2020, 17:00 BST
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Manchester City Council's call for name suggestions received more than 2,000 suggestions. The 24 best options were then put to the public on Twitter to find the most popular.

The winning eight names include: Basil Salty, Grit Astley, Gritter Thunberg, Slushay Away, Snowbi-Gone Kenobi, Snowel Gallagher, Spreaddie Flintoff, and Spreaddie Mercury.

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Councillor Angeliki Stogia, executive member for the environment, planning and transport, said: "So many suggestions were received that it was hard to whittle them down, but the public decided on some cracking names for our new gritters - including a Mancunian connection in 'Snowel Gallagher'.

Clockwise from top left, Freddie Flintoff, Greta Thunberg, Basil Fawlty, Freddie Mercury, Noel Gallagher and Rick AstleyClockwise from top left, Freddie Flintoff, Greta Thunberg, Basil Fawlty, Freddie Mercury, Noel Gallagher and Rick Astley
Clockwise from top left, Freddie Flintoff, Greta Thunberg, Basil Fawlty, Freddie Mercury, Noel Gallagher and Rick Astley

"Our investment in these vehicles will help to ensure that our roads, footways and cycle lanes are kept safe and accessible in the face of harsh weather."

The council said "track my gritter" technology will soon be available on its website, allowing Manchester residents to check if one of the gritters has been salting their area.

Related topics:PrestonManchesterTwitter