Drivers warned of icy conditions

Bob Robertson took this picture of a snow-covered bench in Sutton Park

The cold weather is continuing to cause problems in the UK despite weather forecasters predicting that conditions should clear during the day.

Thousands of homes are without power across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, after the cold weather damaged high voltage cables.

Power Supplier EDF Energy said the bad weather has prevented engineers from fixing the problem.

The AA has also warned drivers in the UK to watch out for icy roads.

Arctic air

There is a cold and frosty start in most of the country after sleet, snow and rain overnight but this is expected to clear up in most areas.

The cold snap - with its widespread frost and crisp air - is caused by cold air that has come down from the Arctic.

Although sunny weather is forecast for most of the UK, further rain, snowfall and sleet is expected on higher ground in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Those in the Glenshane Pass, which was at one point blocked by heavy snow on Tuesday, are also urged to be careful as they are face further snowfall.

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The wet weather is also expected to hit eastern coasts in England and Scotland.

Cardiff will enjoy the highest temperatures, with a maximum of 10C (50F). Meanwhile, central Scotland is not expected to rise above 3C (37.4F).

BBC Weather forecaster Kirsty McCabe said: "It is unusual weather and the air is much colder for this time of the year.

"It will be cold during the rest of the week and the temperature now is more like what you find at the end of December."

On Tuesday night temperatures plunged to -4C and football matches were either postponed or abandoned at Luton, Northampton, Walsall and Wycombe.

Kent also suffered from torrential rain.

Pete Barnao, a spokesman for the AA, urged drivers to be careful.

He said: "The advice is for those setting out to be aware of their stopping distances as it will take longer in these sorts of conditions.

"It is also better to stay on main roads as they are more likely to have been gritted and so clear of ice."