Britain faces "very significant snowfall" this week, with temperatures expected to plunge to at least minus 10 degrees Celsius in parts of the country, the Met Office has warned.

Flights were grounded at Manchester Airport and Liverpool Airport as staff attempted to clear snow from the Tarmac.

After more than three hours, both runways were eventually re-opened. Dozens of schools across the country have also closed due to the snow and ice.

A weather system forecast on Thursday could break this winter's current record low of minus 10.8 degrees and bring up to 10cm of snow to parts of southern England.

Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice cover the majority of the UK on Wednesday - with only a narrow sliver of the country north-east of Carlisle not affected.

Journeys on the roads could take "a lot" longer and should ideally be avoided if possible, said Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill.

 

 

The warning in Scotland, Northern Ireland and most of the UK runs until 11am on Wednesday, while the South East, London and East Anglia are covered until 12pm.

Further warnings have been issued for Thursday when a new weather front comes in which could bring in more wintry weather.