Councillor Alan Armstrong, council Cabinet member for roads and transport, praised the work of Northumberland's highways staff in their attempts to keep the county moving during the worst winter weather for 30 years.

But a statement by Conservatives on the council which tried to claim the Liberal Democrats had not done enough to tackle the crisis has prompted Coun Armstrong to describe the opposition as being in "winter hibernation".

"Our staff in Northumberland have fought against the odds to try to keep our main roads open," said Coun Armstrong.

"For the past five weeks they have been out gritting the roads. 35 gritters have deposited 20,000 tonnes of salt. Our staff have done a brilliant job in the face of the worst weather for 30 years.

"Many worked over Christmas and New Year to help clear roads. In addition, 150 council staff have helped clear paths, and my deepest thanks go to them, and to the staff of the Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service and the Coast Guard who have also pitched in the help.

"It seems clear from the Conservative news release that they have missed all this. Where have they been for the past three weeks? It is winter and I am wondering if they have been hibernating whilst the rest of us get on with tackling the problems caused by the weather.

"We will, of course, aim to have damage caused by the weather repaired as soon as possible.

"The Conservatives are making a great deal of noise now about the weather because it is good opportunity for political knock-about stuff and attention-seeking. But I am very angry that the hard work of our dedicated staff can be dismissed by our opponents in this way.

"Yet if the Conservatives are so wise after the event, where were they before it all happened? The fact is there wasn't a peep from the Conservatives before the weather crisis began about preparations for the bad weather.

"They have only become interested in this issue because they can get a quick bit of publicity by misrepresenting what has happened. No doubt when the thaw comes, the Conservatives will go back into hibernation."