Passengers due to depart Gatwick and Birmingham airport are encouraged to their airline as freezing weather conditions overnight have forced the closure of the two airports, and motorists have been warned to expect ominous conditions after the use of grit by councils was ordered to be cut by 50 per cent.

A slight thaw has been witnessed in some areas yesterday; however meteorologists have predicted even more below-freezing conditions and snow showing which are expected to last until the middle of next week.

Snow and ice could possibly cause further travel chaos, with many train companies running with a revised timetable and warning passengers to expect last minute cancellations.

Eurostar has been operating a revised timetable, and warned passengers to cancel any non-essential travel.

The Met Office has also warned motorists to take caution on the roads, with icy conditions seen in most parts of England yesterday, and snow showers in the South West and possibly heavy snow in Northern Ireland.  It has also warned of dangerous driving conditions in Wales after snow and sleet fell on already icy roads.

Grit has been in short supply and has been limited to major roads in most parts of Britain, as stocks fell after daily usage exceeded about 60,000 tonnes.  Local councils have been forced to reduce their usage by a quarter while the Highways Agency is not gritting the hard shoulder of the road.

A large order has been placed de-icing salt by the Highways Agency, and is expected to arrive by the end of the month.