Snow and sub-zero temperatures are forecast for Lancashire this week, as a yellow weather warning has been issued.

The Met Office says parts of Lancashire could experience its second heavy snow and ice of the winter since January, with warnings for snow this Thursday, February 8, and Friday, February 9.

The first snow and ice warning is in place all day on Thursday, with possible delays on the roads and motorists being left stranded, potential impacts to rail and air travel, potential power cuts, and a risk of injury due to slips and falls.

The warning covers Blackburn, Darwen, Accrington, Burnley, Nelson, Colne and the rest of Lancashire and is in place from 3am on Thursday until 3am on Friday. 

The Met Office said: "There is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected.

"There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off.

"There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel.

"There is some uncertainty with respect to the rain and snow boundary, and the northern limit of the snow, and so details may change in the coming days as confidence increases in these aspects."

A band of rain, sleet, and increasingly snow, will push north on Thursday bringing up to 2cm snow at lower-levels, 2-5cm on ground above 200m, and perhaps as much as 10-20cm above 400m.

The snow will ease later in the day, and may turn back to rain or drizzle, especially in the south and east of the area.

The yellow weather warning is also set for regions such as the East Midlands, West Midlands, Wales, Yorkshire, North East England, and the East of England.