Blizzards cover Britain in thick snow

A child plays in the snow in Old Hastings in Sussex. Picture / Reuters

Blizzards left large parts of Britain covered in thick snow as motorists faced treacherous driving conditions with more bitter weather due this week.

Up to 5cm fell in Sussex, southeast England, and there were reports of 12cm in higher areas.

Motorists were yesterday urged to stay indoors as heavy snow fell across the east of England, creating perilous driving conditions.

Temperatures dropped to -2C when the blizzard arrived on Tuesday night but colder weather, as low as -5C in England and -8C in Scotland, is anticipated.

Train services across the southeast of England were disrupted by the blizzards, brought on by North Sea storms blowing heavy snow.

Up to 2cm of snow also fell in East Anglia, West Yorkshire and the northeast of England.

There were warnings of a "high risk" of ice on roads and pavements in the coming days.

Snow is expected to continue falling over the next two days with the Midlands and the northeast coasts of England and Scotland also expected to be affected.

Forecasters said the southeast of England could experience the worst of the snow, with up to 10cm possible in Essex, East Sussex, Medway and Suffolk.

Kent Police warned that the worst was still to come in the area. Inspector Mark Holt, of Kent Police, said: "Our advice to drivers is, as usual, to stay indoors unless travel is essential. Worse is yet to come."

The snow has come too late for many who had hoped to see a white Christmas. A William Hill bookmakers spokesman said: "The snow has come just 24 hours too late for punters, saving the industry a whopping £3 million [$7.6 million]."

- INDEPENDENT