EAST Lancashire woke to a glistening blanket of ice this morning, as a cold snap threatens further travel disruption.

Snow is still on the ground in many areas of the county after Boxing Day night's flurry, including outlying parts of Blackburn, Pendle Hill and Haslingden.

Simon Partridge, forecaster with the Met Office, said: "Parts of the UK have had snow over the last day or so, and that picture will improve into Sunday.

"But it is going to be very cold indeed, as low as 4 or 5C (41F) in the south and 2C in the north (35F)."

Liverpool's John Lennon Airport and Leeds Bradford International were forced to close on Friday evening as snow was cleared from the runways, but have now reopened.

Four flights into Liverpool from Malta, Berlin and Bucharest were diverted to Manchester Airport, while a fifth from the Isle of Man returned to the island's airport, a John Lennon Airport spokesman said.

Passengers at Manchester Airport complained of delays yesterday morning.

A pilot called the police on Friday night after being stuck on the tarmac at Manchester Airport for three hours.

Motorists have been advised to check routes before embarking on a journey and to avoid travelling in snow-hit areas if possible.

Newcastle United fans slept - and sang - on coaches after they got stuck overnight in snow heading back from their 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.

More than one supporters' coach and some fans in cars made it as far as Birch Services on the M62 near Rochdale when the weather conditions made a trip across the Pennines impossible.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "As winter weather grips some areas of the country we would advise people intending to travel to check weather and local conditions before they set out.

"The Highways Agency and local highway authorities across the country are working hard to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum."

There have been major rail delays at one of the country's busiest rail terminals because of overrunning Network Rail engineering works north of King's Cross in London.

Dozens of trains were cancelled yesterday and a reduced service is scheduled for today.

The advice to defer travel if possible comes as many workers who travelled to see relatives over the festive period are expected to use the railways to return to work tomorrow.