Britain’s motorists are being warned to take extra care on UK roads this winter after the recent cold snap created an estimated one million new car damaging pothole.

The freeze and thaw effects of the recent snow has handed the UK Highways Agency a £100 million repair bill and most concerning of all they are causing untold damage to cars and other vehicles.

Rescue My Car has seen breakdown cover claims soar as a result of pothole damage and there is now one pothole for every 100 yards of road, according to the most conservative estimates.

In the worst areas, busy stretches are pitted with big drops. Countless cars have suffered punctures, damaged exhausts and suspension and without breakdown cover motorists are facing huge tow and repair bills.

Councils are now struggling to deal with the surge in complaints about the potholes and cracks in pavements caused as ice melts and re-freezes, widening gaps.

Rescue My Car spokesman Craig Astbury said: "It could be a record year for potholes - a million scars of the worst winter in 30 years and the worst thing is that motorists come off worst.

‘Repair bills can top £200 now and that is why we are now seeing a rise in the number of people taking out one of our cheap breakdown cover policies to insure themselves against such unexpected costs.’

For more breakdown cover advice or information about how you can protect your car from pothole damage call the Rescue My Car team now on 0800 0199519.