Heavy snowfall has forced an airport to close runways this morning.

Manchester Airport announced that both its runways were shut following “a period of heavy snowfall”.

The airport said operations will resume at the “earliest opportunity” when it is safe to do so.

A Manchester Airport statement on Twitter said: “Following a period of heavy snowfall, we have temporarily closed both runways.

 

“Health and safety will always be our top priority and operations will resume at the earliest opportunity.

“Passengers are advised to contact their airline for the most up-to-date flight information.”

One passenger said: “Please update website and keep us all up to date - it’s not difficult in this day & age with technology thanks”.

Another added: “Update your website... no delays can be seen”.

While one person currently sat on a plane at the airport said: “Plane captain just said open from 8:30am.”

Manchester Airport have said further updates will be provided in due course.

It comes as temperatures plunged below minus 10C (14F) in parts of the UK overnight amid warnings of snow, ice and travel disruption.

Drumnadrochit near Inverness in the Highlands hit minus 10.4C (13.28F) in the early hours of Thursday, making it the coldest recorded temperature of the year so far.

Topcliffe in north Yorkshire got down to minus 7.4C (18.68F), the coldest in England.