A driver of a Fiat, a man in his 20s from Watford, remains in hospital with serious injuries after a crash on the M1 near Hemel Hempstead in the early hours of Wednesday.

Hertfordshire Police say a blue Fiat Punto, which was travelling between junction J8 and J6a, was involved in collision with a lorry at about 05:30.

The motorway was closed for several hours due to the police investigation and for diesel to be cleared.

Officers are appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage.

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Northamptonshire Police has issued a fresh appeal to motorists to be cautious while driving in the snow and ice.

Image source, Northamptonshire Police

Latest updates from the Met Office suggest regular snow showers and high winds will be continuing for the next 36-48 hours, with temperatures not expected to rise until Sunday.

Supt Emily Vernon said there are "some very difficult driving conditions" across the county.

"If your journey is not essential and can be saved for another day my advice is to postpone your trip for when this weather system has moved on," she added.

Greater Anglia says cancellations, delays of up to 50 minutes or revised services can be expected across its network due to severe weather.

Praise is being given to school crossing patrol officers in Luton for keeping pupils safe.

Luton Borough Council tweeted its support for those working in the snow.

It's been so long since there was heavy snow in Essex that some animals just want to examine it in detail.

Image source, Jayess Photography

Rodney the sassy ginger Tom cat exploring the snow on Canvey Island thought it resembled milk his favourite drink but was disappointed after just one lick.

Image source, Jayess Photography

Still a good stretch is enough to remind him that it was more comfortable and warm inside which is where he would find the real stuff.

Image source, Jayess Photography

Greater Anglia says it's expecting a lot of disruption throughout today as the extreme weather continues.

Trains from Norwich to Sheringham, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, as well as trains between Ipswich and Lowestoft and Felixstowe, have stopped running.

The Manningtree to Harwich Town service is also disrupted.

The latest on the Greater Anglia website says intercity services between Norwich, Cambridge and London are severely reduced - and connections to Braintree and Clacton are also disrupted.

We've just posted this video on the Radio Norfolk Facebook page. Well done to everyone involved.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Villagers in Norfolk, who were preparing on Wednesday to meet the worst that the weather might bring in the rest of the week, are now now facing their worst nightmare.

Our pictures show the villagers in Thurlton, off the A143 near Beccles, enjoying the snow on Wednesday after storing up food from the community shop, feeding cattle, enjoying a breakfast together at the local pub and talking about how they would stick together if the worst came.

This morning, as you can see from our pictures, they awoke to giant snow drifts, stranded vehicles and farm equipment scuppered by the ice.

Image source, Shaun Corbett

Image source, Shaun Corbett

Image source, Shaun Corbett

Members of Suffolk's hardy Young Farmers' Club have been out clearing rural roads - and helping anyone in trouble at the same time.

In one instance, Halesworth farmer Neil Allen, 29, even helped bail out a stricken ambulance at 03:00.

The work doesn't stop when the snow comes, with many having to clear access to livestock and feeding - and of course the lambing season is under way.

Image source, Joe Westrup

Image source, Joe Westrup

Image source, Ellis Blackmore

Image source, Ellis Blackmore

Tory Lugsden, of the 250-member Suffolk Young Farmers, external, said: "The problem is the snow falling on compacted ice - it's difficult, but they've been amazing.

"So many young farmers have given their own time to help others."

Now here's a sight we don't often see in Norfolk - a river icing up.

Sharon from Potter Heigham says the Thurne is "getting more solid by the hour".

In the meantime, she's also coping with frozen pipes...

Image source, Sharon Ayres

Image source, Sharon Ayres

Animals at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire are adapting to the snow.

This lynx is one of many animals across the country's zoos enjoying a play in the white stuff.

Image source, Whipsnade Zoo

Whipsnade, near Dunstable, is open today, but will close at an earlier time of 16:00.

The African lions and cheetahs are not on display today and the Passage Through Asia drive-through is closed.

You have snow, so that means you have happy dogs!

Here are just two of our best BBC Weather Watchers pictures of animals from niknak1970 in Hitchin...

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/niknak1970

...and California Dreamin' in Kempston, Bedfordshire.

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/California Dreamin'

Not a single drop of moisture on the power station at Little Barford near St Neots 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

The snow hasn't been much fun for commuters around Hertfordshire.

Not that these swans on the River Gade in the county seem to mind...

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Thanks to farm worker Dean Rowland for this shot of a tractor hauling an ambulance out of difficulty.

It happened at around 07:30 on Primrose Lane, Ramsey, near Harwich.

Image source, Dean Rowland

This was the message for the north east of Essex earlier:

But the A120, serving the Port of Harwich, has reopened between the B1035 (Horsley Cross) and B1352 (Ramsey):

More than 20 departing flights have been cancelled at London Luton Aiport, external.

About 18 arrivals have also been cancelled.

They are mostly affecting EasyJet flights across Europe.

Two Ryanair flights to Dublin have also been cancelled.

The aiirport says, otherwise, it is open and operating as normal, but it is advising passengers to check with their airline. They are also being advised to allow extra time for travel to the airport, because of the snow.

A number of schools are now closed in Bedfordshire. They are:

In Luton Borough, external:

• Norton Road Primary School
• St Margaret of Scotland Catholic Primary School

In Central Bedfordshire, external the closures are:

• Aspley Guise Pre-School
• Central Bedfordshire College
• Cranfield University Pre-School
• Mentmore Road Under Fives
• Meppershall Pre-School
• St Leonards VA Lower School
• The Mary Bassett Lower School
• The Vale Academy, Dunstable
• The Vale Nursery, Dunstable

In the Bedford Borough, external:

• Sheerhatch Primary School

Keep checking the three unitary councils' websites for the latest.

Essex Police are warning motorists to "only take journeys where necessary".

They say many rural roads are still in poor condition and the north of the county is especially affected with many roads blocked.

There is also drifting snow around the A120 between Colchester and Harwich - at Horsley Cross by the B1028, B1017 and A133.

Craig Lewis
BBC East

Homelessness is a huge issue as freezing weather conditions spread across the country.

Part of the role of police officers in Northamptonshire has been to check on these vulnerable members of the community.

The tweets below show how officers have today been speaking to a man who lives in a tent on the A45 near Northampton...