The celebrity chef says that, in the light of Storm Emma causing numerous school closures nationwide, parents will be able to feed their children for free at his Italian restaurants until the weekend.

Sarah Gosling
BBC News Online

A North Devon councillor has urged people not to travel this afternoon as Storm Emma batters the region.

Councillor Andrea Davis tweeted that there are "abandoned vehicles on the A39 Parracombe.

"Abandoned vehicles stop our gritters getting to communities and keeping the roads open."

Police across Devon and Cornwall are advising people not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary.

There is a nationwide database of day care centres that can be used to help homeless people to get warm.

Around 1ft (30cm) of snow has fallen in Alston, England's highest market town at 1,000ft above sea level - where severe winters are not uncommon.

All roads into the town are closed, but the postmaster, Bryan Cooper, is still opening his shop.

Image source, Kerry Cooper

Sarah Gosling
BBC News Online

With temperatures plummeting, the Grand Western Canal in Tiverton has frozen over, with canal boats trapped at its sides.

If you have any more photos of the cold weather you'd like to share, please email them in.

BBC Radio Scotland

Glasgow-based colorectal surgeon, Andy Renwick, has spoken to the BBC about the lengths some people go to get to work.

He said an unnamed colleague walked from Anniesland to Paisley - just under eight miles - to operate on a cancer patient.

Mr Renwick told the BBC Radio Scotland's John Beattie Show: "I won't give her name because she would be genuinely upset with me.

"She walked from Anniesland to Paisley - it took her two hours and 50 minutes. I saw her come in, she had snow goggles on, Gortexed up, top and bottom, snow shoes and walking poles.

"She is operating today on someone who has bowel cancer, she knew that had to be done and so she has made extra effort to get in here to make sure that was actually delivered."

A woman has given birth on the A66 near Darlington with the help of her partner.

The North East Ambulance Service arrived on the scene to discover the woman in labour.

The ambulance crew worked with the couple to deliver the baby before they were all taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Sixteen vehicles have been involved in a crash on the M66 southbound between the Ramsbottom and Bury junctions.

A Manchester Fire and Rescue team is on the scene, along with Lancashire Fire and Rescue and Greater Manchester Police.

The road has been closed and drivers are advised to avoid the area.

Not a single drop of moisture on the power station at Little Barford in Bedfordshire escaped the cold blast overnight - creating this dramatic wall of icy spears.

There's even heaps of snow behind the grills.

Image source, Kev Bullus

Lincolnshire Police are appealing for farmers with tractors to assist in dealing with the snow in the Wolds, Boston to Skegness, and the A15 area south of Lincoln.

Those who meet the criteria should call 01522 875245.

Superintendent Phil Vickers added that employers who hold industry qualifications for off-road and 4x4 driving should also apply if they are able to carry passengers.

Image source, Weather Watcher WilfChlsfield

Creatures great and small are braving the snow blizzards and biting winds.

Nikki Fox
BBC Look East

East of England Ambulance Service is now on black alert - meaning it has reached full capacity and services may be streamlined.The move comes after ambulance staff had to dig their own ambulances out of the snow last night on emergency calls. The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the James Paget Hospital have cancelled outpatient appointments.

The Scottish Conservatives' party conference in Aberdeen has been cancelled after the Met Office extended its amber weather warning for the region.

The conference had been due to run from Thursday to Saturday but party leader Ruth Davidson said: "Delegates' safety comes first, so reluctantly @ScotTories conference is now cancelled due to Amber warning being extended into tomorrow."

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust has said it is putting in place its “major incident plans”.

It is cancelling all non-urgent activity on Thursday and Friday, including outpatient appointments and day surgery.

It is also using a fleet of 4x4 drivers to help transport staff to and from work – including visiting people who urgently need treatment in their homes and communities.

It has appealed to any 4X4 drivers who could volunteer to support this effort on Thursday and Friday.

Firefighters in London were called to rescue a dog that had become trapped in a pond in Barnet this morning.

The long-haired Pekinese fell through the ice, prompting its owner to phone for help.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Please, for your own safety, stay off of any frozen pond, lake or canal as there is a high risk it wont take your weight and when it's cold, hypothermia sets in rapidly and can prove fatal.

"If your dog or any other animal ends up on the ice, stay put and call 999 so firefighters can rescue it, rather than taking risks yourself."