Parts of Britain wake up to blanket of snow with up to EIGHT INCHES forecast later today

Parts of Britain woke up to snow today, with blizzards and deep drifts set to wreck havoc on the roads.

Worst affected were Scotland and northern England, while northern Ireland and Wales also saw snowfall.

Forecasters predicted up to 20cm could fall in higher areas later today.

A lone Shetland Pony is surrounded by heavy snow in Anfield Plain in County Durham as severe weather hit the north of England

One man and his dog: Danny Cox from Skipton takes his dog Max for a walk on the snowy Grassington Moor in the Yorkshire Dales

This morning the Met office had ten severe weather warnings in place covering Scotland, northern England and the Midlands.

Temperatures were set to rise slightly today, with rain and wind forecast for much of Britain.

Forecaster Rachel Vince said: 'As this rain moves in it is bringing in some milder air. In most places it will have turned to rain during the morning.

'Only the hills of northern England and eastern parts of Scotland will see much snow lying on the ground later today. Elsewhere, rain will have washed the snow away.'

Cold feet: Seagulls on a frozen pond in Lexden Park, Colchester, Essex, this morning

Cold climate: A car sits at the edge of the roadside in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire after failing to negotiate the ice and snow on the road

After temperatures fell to well below freezing, most places will have a 'slightly less cold day' today, she said.

'Once the rain clears away eastwards it's going to be a windy mix of sunshine and showers.

'We are expecting temperatures to get up to 10C in parts of southern England. In the Midlands it could be 8-9C and in Scotland and northern England 6 or 7C is possible.'

Snow and low cloud over Ramsbottom near Bury, Greater Manchester. Britain's Arctic blast is continuing

Snow board: The dry ski slope at Rossendale in Lancashire has been turned into the real thing

Forecasters warned of difficult conditions in today's rush hour in northern England and Scotland, with snow causing slippery roads and poor visibility.

Major A-roads and even motorways such as the M62 across the Pennines and the M74 in the Scottish borders are also likely to be disrupted.

Parts of Scotland are likely to continue to see snow through until the evening, but Southern areas could enjoy sunny spells and temperatures up to a comparatively mild 10C (50F).

Several inches of snow which fell in the early hours of Tuesday morning saw around 300 schools in North-West England and North-East Scotland close for the day, and that number could be exceeded.

A lone robin on a snowy fence in Forge Valley near Scarborough , North Yorkshire where a period of heavy snowfall in the morning left travel conditions tricky

Cold walk in the morning: The scene in Forge Valley near Scarborough, North Yorkshire

Meanwhile police advised people against defrosting their cars by leaving them unattended with engines running and keys in the ignition after 20 were stolen as a result across Greater Manchester alone this week.

Motoring organisations reiterated warnings to drivers to ensure vehicles were fully prepared for wintry conditions and to use extra care when faced with snow and ice.

Over the next week or so, temperatures are forecast to be about average for December (4-7C in the daytime) with some unsettled showery weather before a drier weekend.

Snow Scenes: Around Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Drifting and blizzard conditions are also forecast over high areas, although the snow is expected to turn to rain at lower levels

A sign on the King's Course at Gleneagles after snowfall. A blanket of snow swept across the North of England and Scotland, causing misery for motorists

More snow is expected next week.

The big chill has led to a spate of bets on a White Christmas, and bookmakers William Hill have cut the price of snow in Scotland on December 25 to 2/1 and major English cities including London to 4/1.

'Make no mistake, this is a massive gamble, and snow on Christmas day will be a disaster for us,' said spokesman Rupert Adams.

It is also offering 20/1 that the lowest temperature ever recorded in England (-26.1C) will be beaten this winter.

By Daily Mail Reporter