William Eichler 02 December 2016

X-Factor gritter Nicole Saltslinger christened in naming ceremony

The ‘most famous’ gritter in the country has been christened Nicole Saltslinger after a lot of careful deliberation and a frenzy of Twitter suggestions.

Last week, Oldham Council called on its social media followers to suggest names for its new gritting machine.

This produced many inspired examples such as Gritney Spears, Gritty Gritty Bang Bang and Usain Salt.

There was also Gritsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Anti-Slip Machiney - my personal favourite.

The homage to X-Factor judge and former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger was suggested by 10-year-old Eve McGrath, who attended a special naming ceremony.

Cllr Fida Hussain, cabinet member for environment services, said: ‘Firstly we’d like to thank Eve for coming up with such a great name.

‘We're delighted with how well the competition took off. It captured the imagination of Oldham residents and the whole nation.’

‘It was intended as a bit of fun and we even treated the silly suggestions with a pinch of salt,’ the councillor added.

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