Snow lands Britain in road chaos

Heavy snow and plunging overnight temperatures are expected to bring chaos to Britain's roads today.

The Met Office yesterday issued a severe weather warning for the South-east of England, with up to 10 inches of snow expected to fall outside London in Kent and Surrey this morning.

Overnight temperatures are expected to ensure that the heavy snow that brought travel chaos to the North-east yesterday will freeze, so that conditions will continue to be treacherous.

Although bright sunshine is forecast across much of Britain today it will be insufficient to bring a thaw, the Met Office said.

The AA is advising drivers not to go out unless their journey is absolutely necessary. Yesterday up to nine inches of snow fell in the North-east, closing Newcastle International Airport and making many main roads barely passable.