Westover Group’s specialist bodycare centre has reported a 22% increase in the number of damaged vehicles brought in for repair compared to the same period last year.

“The treacherous roads of recent weeks have resulted in a significant shift in the type of repairs we’ve been carrying out over the last few weeks,” said Jason Milton, Westover Group bodycare manager.

“Most vehicles we’ve worked on in December and early January have come to us with mechanical damage, caused by cars sliding on ice into kerbs, lamp posts, walls and other vehicles.

"As a result, demand for parts - particularly wheels and suspension components - has been way up on usual levels.

“We usually see a rise in business during the dark winter months, when driving can undoubtedly be more hazardous.

"However, the end of 2009 and the first couple of weeks of 2010 brought some really challenging driving conditions, which we’re simply not used to in this country.”