Stolen salt 'being sold' claims Stewart

He said he had received many complaints from residents across the area about thieves taking salt for their own private use or even to sell.

Mr Stewart praised the work done by the Roads Service and urged anyone who has seen suspicious activity to ring the police.

"The Roads Service have worked around the clock to replenish salt piles in our rural roads," said Mr Stewart.

"Unfortunately, I have received many calls from constituents reporting that as soon as the salt is left by the Roads Service, people using trailers are lifting it.

"Indeed, one resident informed me that her friend was offered a 5kg bag of salt to purchase.

"She said that men called at her home to see if she wanted to purchase the salt which was in different shopping carrier bags.

"I would remind people that it is a criminal offence to lift salt from the side of the roads and to use it for their own private use or to sell and I would encourage anyone to report such activity to the PSNI."