Cold snap brings fresh snowfall

Britain is bracing itself for more cold weather as Scotland and the north of England are once again battered by snow.

Temperatures will drop well below zero overnight into Tuesday and forecasters warned another six inches of snow could fall amid Arctic winds.

The Met Office has issued a yellow severe weather warning urging those in the regions likely to be affected to be aware.

John Lee, a forecaster for MeteoGroup, said: "Many northern and eastern parts of Britain have got some snow. It's likely that many areas, particularly the higher ground in eastern Scotland and North East England, will see up to 10-15cms (4-6ins).

"The central band of Scotland could be hard hit overnight and into tomorrow (Tuesday)."

The cold weather brought misery for rail travellers as a number of key commuter routes were disrupted.

Some south-east England train companies were hit by a build-up of ice on the "third rail" from which trains get their power.

Services in Hampshire, Surrey and Kent were particularly affected, with a number of trains being delayed and cancelled, while passengers were left waiting for trains between Rugby, Northampton and London, and signalling problems in Glasgow led to delays.

Police closed the A66 across the Pennines between Bowes, County Durham, and Stainmore, Cumbria, because of heavy snow and Leeds Bradford International Airport was closed.

Mr Lee added: "By Wednesday it starts to ease off. Through the course of Wednesday the snow showers will retreat back, mainly affecting the North Sea coast.|