A DEDICATED police officer left home at 3am today to make sure he arrived for his shift on time.

PC Simon Webb left his house in Bussage, Gloucestershire four hours before he was due to start work at 7am at Filton Police Station.

PC Webb, 39, is usually based at Chipping Sodbury Police Station but is currently working as an acting sergeant at Filton.

He said: "I was woken up in the early hours by my five-year-old son and two-year-old twin daughters. I looked out of the window and thought 'I had better leave now'!"

Four inches of snow had snow had fallen overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday. After clearing his Rover 25, PC Webb drove cautiously down a one-in-four hill before reaching the relatively clear main roads.

PC Webb said it was important that emergency services staff make the extra effort during the wintry weather.

He said: "There is a really good team here and we've all made it in, with one colleague travelling from Wales.

"This is my job. If we don't make the effort, who will? My mum is a nurse and my dad is a fire fighter. People in the emergency services are here to help others; it's why we do the job."

District Commander Andy Francis said on Wednesday: "Simon is just one example of the dedication shown by the officers and staff across this district.

"I am proud of the way they have kept business going as usual through these difficult weather conditions. Despite today's further snow, we have had 100 percent turnout of uniformed officers for the 7am early shift covering the emergency 999 calls."

PC Webb packed a change of clothes, blanket and other vital supplies ready to stay the night at Filton Police Station if necessary. Other drivers are being urged to do the same ahead of making any journeys in the snow.