Motorists face chaos as freezing weather hits

Freezing conditions were causing problems for motorists in London and the South-East today as temperatures plummeted to below zero.

Parts of southern England plunged to as low as -5C this morning, and forecasters estimate the cold snap could last several days.

A spokesman for the PA weather centre said: "Much of inner London will face temperatures of -1C, while central London should stay just above freezing."

Gritters were out in force last night to treat motorways and other strategic roads.

The north-west of Scotland is worst affected, with freezing rain, gales and snow, while sleet also fell in the Midlands early today.

The adverse weather conditions are set to worsen Christmas traffic chaos.

Meanwhile the freezing temperatures have seen bookmakers slash the odds on a white Christmas, believing it more likely than at any time in the last 25 years.

William Hill have cut the odds of a London white Christmas from 5/1 to 11/4. It is estimated bookies face a ?1million payout if the predictions prove correct.