Heaviest snowfall of season arrives

The Government has issued safety warnings as the heaviest snowfall of the season crept in.

And the chances of a white Christmas continued to "hang in the balance", said experts.

A light dusting across south east England on Thursday afternoon precedes up to 15cm (5.9in) in areas around London overnight, forecasters warned.

And temperatures would plunge as low as minus 9C (15.8F) in the Scottish Highlands.

With treacherous conditions during festive preparations, the Government warned members of the public to keep an eye on vulnerable members of communities.

The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for very heavy snowfall in London, the South East and the East of England. London Underground said there are severe delays on the Amersham branch of the Metropolitan Line due to adverse weather.

Severe weather warnings were issued for heavy snow in the North East, Yorkshire and Humber and the East Midlands.

Around 4in of snow fell in parts of East Anglia, making driving treacherous. In past of Cambridgeshire, high winds caused snowdrifts to form. Teachers said they expected many schools to be closed - the last day of term - giving youngsters an extra day of Christmas holiday.

Northamptonshire and northern parts of Hampshire were also identified as areas likely to wake up to a snowy scenes.

Bookmaker Ladbrokes cut its odds on London experiencing a white Christmas from 5/2 to 2/1. It is also offering odds of 2/1 for a white Christmas in Glasgow. Aberdeen has odds of 11/8 while Birmingham, Cardiff, Dublin and Manchester are all on 11/4.