Britain braces itself for a big freeze

Snow swept into northern parts of the UK yesterday and was expected to spread south last night, bringing health concerns and fears of travel disruption.

Matthew Martin, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: “There are already heavy snow showers moving into Northern Ireland and Scotland and they will extend into northern England.

“At first they will be sleety but we expect some accumulations in Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern Wales and northern and central England.