Scottish Government's 'Ready for Winter?' campaign is being launched today, delivered in partnership with the British Red Cross and a range of public, private and voluntary sector partners.

Created by The Leith Agency, Stripe and Storm ID, the campaign aims to remind individuals and families of the risks and consequences of being underprepared for the impact of severe winter weather, as well as offering information and advice.

The campaign will include a range of online resources and will feature integrated marketing activity across TV, national and local press, news websites and social media, and is due to run until mid-November. It will include information road shows held in every local authority across Scotland. It follows a call from the British Red Cross for specific public resilience campaign work, similar to that already delivered other countries.

A variety of organisations are supporting the campaign including Cosla, Scottish Water, ACPOS, The Energy Saving Trust, Met Office, NHS, Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda, Kwik-fit, Arnold Clark, Scotrail, the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, the Scottish Grocery Federation, main airports across Scotland, 545 libraries and some of Scotland's largest employers.

Scotland's Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who has responsibility for resilience issues, said: "No-one can say with any certainty what this winter might bring, but after the severe weather conditions we experienced in the past two years, we have worked with all our partners in the public, private and voluntary sector to learn the lessons and improve and invest in our services so that we are in a position to hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

"The evidence of the last two winters has shown that individuals and communities are stronger when they help themselves and help others. We also know that people want to be better prepared for whatever conditions they might have to face, and are looking for advice and information to help them get ready for winter.

"That's why we have been delighted to link up with the British Red Cross to deliver this first-ever severe weather preparedness campaign, which will also involve Scottish councils and a wide range of other partners.

"This is about letting people know that there are small but sensible steps they can take now that will help individuals and families cope if extreme weather hits their communities, allowing them to continue their day-to-day lives with as little disruption and discomfort as possible. "