Black ice warning for motorists

A major gritting programme is under way.

Drivers have been warned to use extreme caution on the roads on Tuesday as freezing weather conditions arrive in some parts of Northern Ireland.

The Met Office said showers on Monday night had left areas of black ice across the province.

The worst affected areas are in the North West and Mid Ulster, where the temperature has been about minus 4C since Monday evening.

David Orr of the Roads Service said a major gritting programme was under way.

"Last night temperatures did fall very low again and our 160 staff and 120 gritters were working both last night and again this morning," he said.

"We have been salting the 4,300 miles of main traffic routes across Northern Ireland and, in fact, since Saturday we have been out seven times.

"We have spread well over 4,000 tonnes of salt."

Temperatures plunged as low as minus 7C overnight in areas of Scotland and northern England.

Everywhere is expected to feel very cold on Tuesday with temperatures in many areas expected to fall to minus 15C on Wednesday with windchill.

Drivers are being urged to check the weather forecast before they set off and to listen to radio bulletins while they are on the road.