SNOW showers made some East Lancashire roads treacherous early today - prompting police to issue a road safety warning.

Heavy rain, sleet and snow spread throughout the region just before 7am and untreated roads remained icy as temperatures stayed at around 2C.

Gritters targeted major routes over night and police urged drivers to take extreme care.

Forecasters predicted temperatures would rise as the day progressed.

Overnight, East Lancashire escaped much of the snow which engulfed other areas of Northern England. Only two minor car collisions were reported.

In Queen's Drive, Oswaldtwistle, a silver or white Ford Focus skidded on ice into a blue Corsa at 9.10pm and then drove off. Police are appealing for information.

And there was a two-car bump on Whitebirk, Blackburn, at 10.15pm. No-one was injured.

Police also urged motorists not to leave their cars running unattended outside homes or shops, in a bid to prevent thefts.

Long queues were reported coming off junction six of the M65 early today as commuters slowly made their way to work.

Insp Stuart Isherwood, of Accrington road safety, said motorists were being cautious.

He said: "People were driving at 15mph on the M65 this morning so they were being extra cautious which is very nice to see.

"The gritters and the snow ploughs have been out all week so I think they are pretty geared up."

A police spokesman said: "Untreated surfaces will remain very icy and dangerous driving conditions are expected.

"Drivers are urged to take extreme care."