More snow and Arctic blasts due

Forecasters warned of up to 20cm of snow and bitter temperatures going into next week at least. Heavy snow is expected to move through the region with plunging temperatures likely to bring ice and transport disruptions.

Accumulations of 5 to 10 cm are expected in general, but with possibly of 20cm in places by Friday evening. Snow will be accompanied by strong north or northwesterly winds leading to some drifting.

It follows a brief respite from the extreme weather that gripped the country for more than a fortnight. The Met Office said snowfall at the end of November was the earliest widespread snow for 17 years with winds from the North Sea also bringing the worst December weather for almost three decades.

An AA spokesman said extra patrols were planned and on standby.

Network Rail said it had snow ploughs on standby to clear any snow from the tracks.