Sporting programme hit by wintery weather

Blizzards and plummeting temperatures across the UK have already claimed a number of the weekend's sporting fixtures, with more set to follow later in the day.

The Coca-Cola Championship football match between Scunthorpe and Ipswich has been postponed, with the fixtures between Blackpool and West Brom and Cardiff and Leicester subject to checks at 10am and 11.30am respectively.

In League Two, Darlington v Northampton and Rotherham v Dagenham and Redbridge are off, and Port Vale v Chesterfield (10am) and Rochdale v Shrewsbury (10am) are set for inspections.

The Scottish Division Two match between Dumbarton and Alloa will also have a 10am inspection.

The fixtures already postponed were Colchester v Carlisle in League One and Aldershot v Bradford in League Two.

Last night's League Two clash between Hereford and Lincoln was also postponed, while six of this weekend's Blue Square Premier matches are already off.

In rugby union, Newport Gwent Dragons and Biarritz will try again at Rodney Parade at 1.35pm after their match was called off last night because of a partially frozen pitch.

The weather has also caused several race meetings to be called off or to face further course inspections.

Officials at Ascot have abandoned today's high-profile meeting. As a result, for the second day in a row there will be no racing at the Berkshire course because of snow.

But this afternoon's National Hunt meeting at Haydock has defied the cold snap and will go ahead as scheduled, while the action on the hurdles track at Navan has received the all-clear following a morning inspection.