Snow warning in Northumberland, Tyneside and Wearside

Snow on the beach at Tynemouth

Drivers have been warned to take care on roads across Northumberland, Tyneside and Wearside.

There were icy conditions overnight and the Met Office issued a yellow alert, with heavier snowfall later.

Major routes have been treated, but the A1 north of Alnwick was badly affected by snow and ice. A number of schools in Northumberland were being closed early.

Newcastle Airport remains open, but some domestic air services to and from the south and west have been cancelled.

Northumberland County Council said a number of schools were sending pupils home early because of the weather conditions.

The A1068 in Alnwick was closed in both directions between the B6346 junction and the B1339 junction, because of the snow but later reopened.

Ch Supt Gary Calvert, of Northumbria Police, said: "Adverse weather has been forecast for later today.

"As such, people should ensure they take precautions, only go out if it's necessary, and if they do need to go out to make sure they wrap up warm and drive carefully.

"We continue to monitor weather forecasts and conditions across the force and have officers out and about on the roads and in our communities this morning."