TWO people were injured after snow blanketed the area on Saturday afternoon.

A man, aged 20, and a 26-year-old woman were trapped inside the roll cage of their quad bike after it was involved in a collision with a Audi Q7 on Cove Road, Malham.

Because of the icy conditions, the ambulance service asked for specialist assistance from the Clapham-based Cave Rescue Organisation, which deployed a small team and 4×4 ambulance.

Firefighters were also called - the crew from Grassington arrived within half an hour, but, even with snow chains fitted, it was more than an hour before Settle firefighters could reach the scene.

The injured woman was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary, while her companion was taken by road ambulance to Airedale General Hospital at Steeton. Their injuries were not serious.

Elsewhere, motorists struggled with the icy conditions, with several minor collisions.

Residents living near Rockwood Drive, Skipton, complained that their road was "like an ice rink", with two vehicles spinning out of control and ending up on the pavement and another accident at the junction with Gargrave Road after a car was unable to stop.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council's highways department said: "We grit our roads in a specified order, based on traffic flows and the best use of our gritters.

"Priority one roads are gritted by 7am. These include major traffic routes which connect or pass through towns. They account for 2,300km, or 28 per cent, of our road network.

" Priority two roads are gritted by 10am. These generally provide access to local communities. They account for 2,100km, or 25 per cent of our road network.

" Priority three roads are not normally be gritted. These include roads in housing estates and country lanes. They account for 4,500km, or 46 per cent, of our road network.

"However, we consider treating them if conditions persist for more than 72 hours and resources allow."