The motoring organisation the RAC is warning the worst is yet to come in terms of potholes, following the big rains in December.

They say that patrols attended nearly a quarter (23%) more breakdowns where potholes were likely to blame for car problems in the last three months of 2022 - compared to the previous three months.

The figures released to mark National Pothole Day (January 15) showed that they went out to an average of 20 breakdowns a day between October and the end of the year – a total of more than 1,800 – for faults such as damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels. These are the highest number of pothole-related breakdowns seen in the fourth quarter of the year since 2019.

But it is only going to get worse.

They say the heavy rains in December will lead to more potholes being formed and with the weather due to turn cold again, it is perfect weather for holes in the roads. The RAC said: " These are the perfect conditions for creating potholes, as water makes its way into cracks which then expand when it freezes, causing the road surface to crumble. "

Meantime the highways team at B&NES, which covers Midsomer Norton, say they repaired a total of 2,638 potholes in 2022 - that's an average of seven a day.