Freezing start to new year

The first week of the new year is set to be cold and sunny in London and the South-East, though we will miss out on the thaw enjoyed by the rest of the country.

Temperatures are below average for this time of year, with the capital registering - 3C last night and - 8C at Redhill, but rain is expected to hold off until Saturday.

Nigel Bolton, national forecaster at Bracknell's Met Office, said: "We are well into mid-winter now so we can expect to see temperatures below zero.

"There has been a hard frost but there will be plenty of sunshine so it should clear quickly, and there should be crisp winter sunshine for the rest of the week."

The frost means drivers should take extra care on the roads. Londoners can expect "highs" of 5C or 6C by the weekend.

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