Durham Cathedral torchbearer event halted because of snow

The National Trust hopes the 16th Century castle will reopen on Sunday

A cathedral service to honour torchbearers has been postponed and a castle shut as snow hits the region.

Durham Cathedral was due to hold the service on Saturday during which torchbearers were to receive certificates from the county council.

But the event has been put off until March. Northumberland's Lindisfarne Castle will also be shut on Saturday.

The Met Office said between 5 and 10cm of snow would fall in the North East on Friday night and Saturday.

A spokesman said: "The public should be aware of possible disruption to travel through Friday night and the first part of Saturday."

The National Trust said it hoped to reopen the 16th Century castle near Berwick on Sunday, but this would depend on the weather.

The torchbearer event was being organised by Durham County Council.

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

Northumbria Police said the A196 Blackclose Bank in Ashington has now reopened after heavy snow.

Large traffic queues are being reported on the A1 at Alnwick and on the A183 Coast Road at South Shields on Friday evening.