Motorists urged to take care

Many sporting fixtures fell victim to the elements

Motorists are being warned to take care on the roads on Wednesday after another night of freezing temperatures.

The Roads Service has worked throughout the Christmas period to keep main routes open.

But there have been complaints that some minor roads are still in a poor condition.

The service said 14,000 tonnes of grit had been used so far.

Roads Service spokesman Andrew Murray said: "All that is happening is that the salt is taking a while to react."

The freezing conditions wiped out most of the major New Year's Day sport in Northern Ireland.

Both the First Trust Ulster Senior Rugby Cup Final and the Irish League game between Crusaders and Coleraine were called off because of frozen pitches.

The rugby decider between Dungannon and Ballynahinch has been re-arranged for Friday evening at Ravenhill (1930 GMT).

The New Year's Day meeting at Fairyhouse was called off but the card at Tramore did go ahead after the course passed an inspection early on Tuesday morning.