Icy roads warning amid big freeze

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Drivers are being advised to check road conditions before travelling

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning as drivers in Scotland and north-east England face dangerously icy conditions on the roads.

Forecasters say sub-zero temperatures will affect eastern Britain overnight as heavy snow sweeping southwards is causing further trouble for motorists.

On Thursday, hundreds of schools in England and Scotland closed.

Flights from Newcastle airport were also affected and Durham and Tees Valley airport was forced to close.

Abandoned cars

Severe weather warnings for widespread icy roads have been issued by the Met Office for the Highlands, Grampian, Central, Tayside and Fife, south-west Scotland, Lothian and Borders, north-east England and Yorkshire and Humber regions.

In East Yorkshire, scores of cars have been abandoned after snow made roads hazardous.

Humberside Police warned conditions could worsen as snow and slush freeze overnight.

A police spokesman said officers would work through the night to remove abandoned vehicles in time for the morning rush hour.

The Highways Agency has advised drivers in north-east England, Yorkshire and Humber to check the weather forecast and road conditions before travelling.

Forecasters say many parts of England could see up to 5cm of snowfall, while on higher ground in the North it could reach depths of 8cm.

Fortnight of chaos

On Thursday, drivers in Cheshire faced morning rush-hour disruption after part of a motorway was closed when pools of water from a burst water main froze in the plummeting overnight temperatures.

The M53 was shut in both directions between junctions five and seven after police said the conditions were "too dangerous".

Visibility on the A1 around Tyneside was poor, police said.

Berwick, Bellingham and Carter Bar areas were badly affected.

Over the last fortnight, Britain has been battered by winter snow storms, fierce winds and heavy rain.

During the worst of this week's rain, the Environment Agency issued about 300 flood alerts. By Thursday night, 22 flood warnings remained in place.