Storm-force winds of up to 100mph are poised to hit Scotland today, forecasters have warned.

Widespread travel chaos caused by some of the severest winter weather for a century left Christmas commuter plans in tatters and swathes of the country paralysed in the UK today.

Swathes of Britain ground to a halt today as the big freeze returned, throwing early getaway plans into jeopardy and threatening to leave homes without heating or presents at Christmas.

The big freeze gripping the country will get worse this week with snow spreading inland and some temperatures plunging as low as minus 20C, forecasters warned.