General Winter in rearguard action

Forecasters predict more sleet and snow will sweep the country today after blizzards brought drifts and road closures across the Pennines.

There is unlikely to be much respite from the icy conditions - which surprised many people after a spell of warmer spring weather - for several days.

The Pennines were one of the areas worst affected yesterday, with a "white-out" on the Snake Pass from Glossop, Derbyshire, to Sheffield. The Met Office forecastmore snow in the region today.

Roads in the Ambleside area of Cumbria were also closed and parts of Yorkshire were turned into a winter wonderland.

Weather forecasters predicted more treacherous conditions for eastern England, Manchester, Birmingham, parts of Wales and the South-west today with temperatures in the South-east also falling.