GRIT Astley is among the pun-filled names selected for a new fleet of salt spreaders in Manchester.

The city council had asked for suggestions on Twitter and received more than 2,000 in response.

The catchiest 24 were then put to the public to have the final say in a series of polls with the play on the Newton-le-Willows singer's name among those chosen.

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Other winning names include Basil Salty, Spreaddie Flintoff, Spreaddie Mercury, Snowbi-Gone Kenobi, Snowel Gallagher, Gritter Thunberg and Slushay Away.

These are a play on TV comedy character Basil Fawlty, former England cricket captain Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, Star Wars character Obi-Wan Kenobi, Oasis' Noel Gallagher, teenage Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and RuPaul's Drag Race star's catchphrase "Sashay, away".

The names will be emblazoned on the new vehicles, which the council says have been provided through a £960,000 investment to ensure more than 435 miles of Manchester's roads are treated in icy conditions.

The winter services are active from at least October until April each year.

Cllr Angeliki Stogia, executive member for the environment, planning and transport at Manchester Council, 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."

She added: "I'm also proud that we are one of the first councils to introduce innovative ways in which residents can find out in real time about our winter service, through the use of new technology.

"And people might see the name they voted for on the roads, meaning that the vehicles will be spreading a little cheer, as well as grit, throughout the winter months".