NI gripped by big winter freeze

There has been heavy snowfall in Crossgar, County Down

Northern Ireland is in the grip of a winter freeze after heavy snowfalls with predictions of more on the way.

Counties Armagh, Antrim, Down and Londonderry have been particularly affected and police have urged motorists to drive carefully.

Meanwhile, 9,000 homes in Newcastle are without electricity, but power has been restored to 5,000 households in Lisburn which had been affected earlier.

The Met Office has said up to 5cm of snow will fall in the next few hours.

Bus services have also been suspended in several areas including Newcastle, Ballynahinch, Downpatrick, Newry, Banbridge and Portaferrry.

Motorists have been urged to exercise caution

Weather experts say the snow has been caused by cold air from the Continent meeting rain over the North Sea.

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