Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire snow alert issued by Met Office

The area included a large swathe of the north of England, Wales and the west Midlands, as well Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire to the east and south.

A yellow weather warning for snow has been issued for parts of Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.

The Met Office said a band of rain, sleet and snow, will push north early on Thursday and in to Friday.

Up to 2cm of snow could fall and then ease off later in the day, and may turn in to rain or drizzle.

There was some uncertainty over the exact rain/snow boundary and details could change in the coming days, the Met Office said.

There was a small chance the wintry weather could cause travel delays, disruption and power cuts in some areas, it added.