UK weather: Teenage girl and two climbers die as the country is gripped by 100 mile wide 'corridor of snow'

Up to 10cm of snow are expected in certain parts of the country

Up to 10cm of snow is expected to fall in a '100 mile corridor' across the UK (PA)

A 15-year-old girl has died and two climbers have been killed in Scotland as a 100-mile "corridor of snow" and freezing temperatures spread across the UK.

The girl, named in local media reports as Caitlin Ruddy, was one of a group of teenagers on the north pier in Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside, on Saturday evening who were hit by a large wave and washed into the sea.

The girl was rushed to hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack but died there later that night.

The two male climbers were found dead on the Stob Coire nam Beith mountain near Glencoe in the Highlands on Saturday afternoon.

The Met Office has issued 12 “be aware” yellow alerts for snow and ice across the country across Scotland, North-East England, Yorkshire, the Midlands and London.

Up to 10cm of snow has been predicted in certain parts of the UK with plummeting temperatures causing widespread ice and frost.

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service has also warned climbers and walkers in the Highlands that the risk of avalanches was high.

The rescue teams trying to help the teenager in Cullercoats Bay on Saturday evening (Dr Claire Guilding)

The Tyneside teenager’s three friends - a boy aged 15 and a boy and girl aged 14 - were also taken to hospital as a precaution but are said to be fine.

Northumbria Police said officers were called to the scene at 7:44pm and said the sea was “running high”.

Before the girl died, Chief Inspector Paul Knox said: "We need to remind people of the danger of the sea, particularly in the dark and cold at this time of year, when tides are high and people can be taken unawares by the strength of the waves and the inherent dangers of the sea.

"People should always be careful around water and if the sea is looking rough with waves pounding onto the pier, we would advise people to be particularly cautious and keep their distance."

The Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team retrieved the climbers' bodies at around 7pm on Saturday evening and it is believed the pair were not inexperienced mountaineers.

A Police Scotland spokesman told the BBC: "Sadly, the two climbers were found to be deceased. Further details will be released when available."

Andy Nelson, leader of the mountain rescue team, said: "The guys were roped together, so it is possible they were still on the climb but they have clearly fallen some distance.

"My information is that they have been killed instantly by the fall.

"They had all the relevant equipment and there is nothing to suggest that they were ill-equipped or inexperienced," he said.

Additional reporting by PA