Ford dealers are participated in a new ‘Tyre Hotel’ initiative to give customers the chance to fit winter-specific rubber to their cars as temperatures fall.

More than 150 retailers across the UK have signed up to be part of the scheme which offers customers the chance to store their winter tyres for up to six months at a time at a cost of £20 per tyre.

Participating retailers will switch tyres on vehicles from across the Ford range, including the all-new Ford Focus RS and Mustang, as well as SUVs including Ford Edge and Kuga.

Sarah Brettle, Ford of Britain aftersales marketing manager, said: “Ford is responding to the demands of customers, especially those driving high-performance or all-wheel drive cars interested in the reassurance of improved tyre grip during colder weather.”

In some European countries it is a legal requirement to fit specialist tyres during the winter months.

A statement issued by Ford said: “Winter tyres outperform summer tyres in temperatures below 7degC across all weather conditions. They reduce braking distances by up to 20%, increase grip and ensure optimum vehicle performance.”