PEOPLE are being warned about an "Arctic Blast" set to hit East Lancashire overnight.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said its gritters were set to go out tonight from 6pm as freezing conditions were expected in some areas.

It warned that it would be monitoring the weather throughout the night as snowfall was also expected in the early hours.

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Weather Watch said on its Facebook page: "Getting cold tonight under periods of clear skies, but one or two more showers could push in from the north, turning increasingly wintry even down to lower levels, and potentially leaving a dusting of snow over the hills.

"Road surface temperatures (RST) on many roads could get close to or dip just below zero, and could experience sudden drops in any hail or wet snow showers. Sub-zero RSTs and showers creating a risk of ice.

"Chilly with bright spells at first tomorrow before more showers develop, these potentially heavy and thundery with hail, and still sleety over high ground.

"Snow Summary: There is a risk of wintry showers settling over the hills tonight, mainly from around 2300 to 0400. Showers could still fall as a mix of hail, sleet and even some flakes of wet snow when heavy, but settling should be limited to the hills, and even here no significant accumulations beyond a dusting of under 1cm."