Big freeze set to last all weekend

Britain's big freeze is likely to last until Monday with icy conditions and snow adding to the misery today and tomorrow.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings of icy conditions across most of the country this morning, with a storm heading in this evening bringing more nasty weather.

It is likely to move along the south coast of England, bringing winds of up to 70mph overnight, but could move further north, affecting more of the south of England, forecasters warned.

Wales and central England could see snow from the early hours of tomorrow morning, possibly settling even at low levels, and up to 10cm on higher ground.

Britain will stay in the grip of the big freeze - the Met Office said colder-than-average temperatures are set to continue through tomorrow and the weekend.

It has issued warnings of icy weather for the whole of the country for Saturday and Sunday, and conditions are only predicted to improve on Monday.

Chief forecaster Anthony Astbury said: "The unsettled weather over the next few days could bring a range of hazards across the country, from snow and ice to heavy rain and strong winds.

"We're working closely with Government agencies and the resilience community to keep them up to date with the latest information.

"We'd advise the public to regularly check our latest forecasts and warnings to stay up-to-date with the situation."

The country has been battered by weather for a week.

On Monday high winds and heavy rain hit England and Wales - one man had a lucky escape when a tree smashed into his bedroom while he was asleep in Winchester, Hampshire.

Last Thursday a storm left thousands of homes without electricity and caused widespread school closures.