Heavy snow and ice closes roads, airports and schools in the UK

Millions of Britons could see their travel plans threatened this weekend as the country is engulfed by an Arctic freeze bringing widespread ice and heavy snow

Flights at several UK airports have been cancelled or delayed today and others have warned of possible disruption.

Motorists have been warned to take care in "horrendous" driving conditions on icy roads as the cold snap causes disruption on one of the busiest days for travel ahead of Christmas, Sky News says.

Schools were also badly hit, with at least 800 closed in Wales, 600 in Northern Ireland and more than 500 in Scotland.

The extreme conditions were predicted to continue, with heavy snowstorms expected to hit most of the UK over the weekend. Some parts of southern England could get up to 25cm of snow tomorrow, according to forecasters.

Network Rail was running "ghost trains" to try to keep routes open and the Local Government Association said council gritting crews were out in force. Bookmakers have slashed the odds of a white Christmas, with William Hill offering 6/4 for it to snow in London on 25 December, The Guardian informs.