TYRE manufacturer Michelin is pushing the advantages of cold weather tyres to fleets as it launches its new range.

The Alpin goes on sale this autumn and Michelin says using such a tyre can increase safety during the most dangerous time of year.

A quarter of motorists on the continent change to winter tyres as the temperature dips below 7 degrees centigrade in October. At this temperature the rubber in summer tyres starts to harden and lose performance.