SNOW has been falling in Todmorden today with forecasters predicting it could spread across Lancashire as early as tomorrow.

The earliest widespread snowfall for 17 years caused disruption across the UK today with up to 6ins (15cm) of snow settling in the Scottish Highlands and North East England.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for widespread icy roads and heavy snow across the North East, Yorkshire, East Midlands, the East and South West of England as well as parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The forecast is for light snow in Lancashire at the weekend but there is a chance it could hit as soon as tomorrow.

Meanwhile, temperatures are to drop as low as minus five.

Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council are confident they have enough grit to keep the roads moving over the winter.

County Councillor Tim Ashton, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "We have 35% more grit than last year, which means we can grit for longer in sustained bad weather, and have invested more than £500,000 in new vehicles for this winter.

"We have also worked with districts and police to identify some of the problems from last year and have made some extensions to the priority road network.

"And with all of our 1800 grit bins and salt piles now fully stocked, I'm confident that we have done all we can to be ready for the winter."

Motorists are being told to make sure that they give thieves the cold shoulder as freezing temperatures hit the county.

Police are keen to deter motorists from leaving their cars unattended with the keys in the ignition and engine running while they defrost.

Insp Martin Bishop said: “It only takes a few seconds for a thief to drive away in your vehicle.

"Please don’t make it easy for them – ensure you stay with your vehicle whilst it is being de-frosted.

“We know that some car thieves specifically target vehicles on driveways with the engines running.”

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