Warning of more arctic conditions

Temperatures in Shropshire are set to fall to -7C tonight as weather experts warned residents to brace themselves for more arctic conditions.

The county is set for a series of hard frosts over the coming nights with day-time temperatures due to rise to about 2C (36F), Shropshire Star weatherman John Warner said.

It comes following a week of heavy snow which has left parts of the region paralysed with Shropshire's worst snowfall in years causing havoc on the roads.

Shropshire County Council and Telford & Wrekin Council have joined forces to try to conserve stocks of salt but motorists were still warned to take extra care when travelling.

Officials today apologised to Shropshire drivers for the problems they are facing.

Councillor Miles Hosken, Telford & Wrekin cabinet member for the environment, said: "Gritters in both council areas have been working to capacity all week and levels of salt are in place to last into next week.

Prolonged

"This is a prolonged spell of very cold weather and snow and I would urge everyone to be very careful when travelling or walking."

John Everall, the county council's cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: "We apologise for any disruption these changes may cause, officers are working hard to ensure that all main routes will continue to be treated throughout the salt shortage."

Tomorrow is expected to see snow showers return to the UK, mainly affecting the north of the country.

Mr Warner today warned: "There is some more snow coming in tomorrow but I think on low ground it will probably turn to sleet and rain in the afternoon.

"On Monday it's snow showers and certainly the cold weather doesn't look like finishing and is going to go on well into next week."

Meanwhile, as the worst UK's week of travel disruption for more than 18 years persisted, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon reportedly called on Britons to "stop whingeing" and queried why more drivers have not acquired snow chains for their cars.

Thousands of Welsh rugby supporters hoping to travel to Scotland for tomorrow's Six Nations clash also saw their plans thrown into disarray after heavy snow grounded flights at Bristol airport.

Yesterday 200 motorists were helped to safety after being stranded overnight when snow fell a foot deep in Devon.

By Russell Roberts