HEAVY snow on the North York Moors led to hours of delays after two lorries jack-knifed in the wintry conditions.

Motorists were stuck for two hours after Birk Brow Bank, between Whitby and Guisborough, was closed following the icy blast today (Wednesday, December 5).

About 40 vehicles were unable to climb the steep road which was covered in an inch and a half of snow.

One couple, from Stockton-on-Tees, had been nursing their 11-week-old baby in the back of their car when they became stuck en route to meet relatives.

Barry Cooper, 36, a student, who was travelling along the road with wife Emma, 40, said: "We came out prepared for the weather and we have plenty of milk and blankets for her so we should be okay."

Temperatures plunged as low as -5.7 at Great Dunfell in Cumbria overnight, with 3cm of snow being recorded at Redesdale Camp, Northumberland, this morning.

And vehicles were temporarily stranded on a section of the A169 Pickering to Whitby road between Saltersgate hill and Blue Bank at Sleights.

At one point about 100 vehicles are thought to have been stuck.

The weather also caused problems at one of the region’s airports.

A Newcastle Airport spokesperson said: "There has been some disruption to flights due to snowfall in parts of the UK, including Newcastle.

"Following wintery conditions earlier today, we have had further heavy showers this afternoon.

"Our snow team is operational with the aim of keeping any disruption to a minimum.

"The runway was closed briefly once in the morning and again this afternoon, to allow snow clearing operations to take place.”

Newcastle United are playing a Europa League game in Bordeaux tomorrow but were stuck on the airport runway.

The Met Office said more snow is expected along the North-East coast.

A spokesperson said: "As the evening progresses it may dry up but there is a band of rain moving across from the North-West that may turn to snow as it reaches the colder temperatures."