Nine children were taken to hospital in north Wales after a school bus crashed after skidding on black ice.

The bus was taking children to three schools in Wrexham when the bus skidded and hit a wall.

Paramedics examined all the children - aged from four to 13 - and nine were taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital for checks.

But none had serious injuries and most have since been released.

Police reported a spate of minor accidents on roads throughout Wales as snow and ice continued to cause problems for drivers.

There were warnings of further snow showers throughout Wales and police are warning drivers to take care in the icy conditions.

Stranded

Black ice was the main problem in north Wales with the main route from Chester to Bangor - the A55 - affected along its length.

The Horseshoe Pass in Snowdonia has also been blocked by snow and abandoned vehicles.

Dyfed-Powys Police reported a number of minor accidents.

In the Carmarthen area, a bus carrying children and adults to a Spice Girls' concert in London skidded on black ice and crashed into a wall. There were no serious injuries.

On Monday sudden heavy snow brought traffic to a standstill in mid and south Wales as roads were closed or blocked by accidents.

Merthyr Tydfil, Brecon and Sennybridge were worst affected with up to six inches of snow in places.

Sections of the A470 trunk route linking south and north Wales were closed until council grit lorries were able to clear the road.

More snow

Motorists across Wales are being warned to be extra cautious as weather forecasters predicted more treacherous conditions on the roads.

Snowfalls and black ice were expected in many parts with further cold weather to follow in the next few days.

Forecasters warn heavy snow will affect south Wales, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

TV exploded

Meanwhile in north Wales, a pensioner escaped unhurt when the roof of her cottage in was set alight and TV blown apart - by lightning.

Retired vet Margaret Birks had been getting up for breakfast when she heard a loud explosion as lightning struck the TV aerial on top of her home at Tynygroes near Conwy.

Two gaping holes were left in the roof which was well alight when firemen arrived.

An unplugged TV in the lounge had been torn apart after lightning travelled down the aerial and through cables.

Plugs and light switches were blown from walls and phone cables destroyed.

Neighbouring houses were also left without power.