WARNINGS have been issued to travellers this morning, following a cold night last night.

Durham Police said snow and ice was affecting parts of County Durham, particularly Teesdale overnight, making driving conditions difficult.

"Please allow extra time for your journey this morning and ensure windscreens are de-iced. The A66 Trans Pennine route is open," a spokesman said.

In Stokesley, North Yorkshire, police dealt with a single vehicle crash on Yarm Lane, Great Ayton.

An officer said: "Roads are extremely icy. Please take extra care."

A Met Office spokesman said of today's weather: "Showers will be mainly confined to the Pennines, and falling as snow on hills.

"Sunny spells are likely, the best of which will be towards the coast. Remaining cold with brisk winds over hills, but winds easing later."

This evening, he said clear spells will allow a frost to form with risk of icy patches. Scattered showers will be wintry over hills. Mainly light winds inland, becoming brisk northerly near coasts. Minimum temperature -1 °C.

Tomorrow, there will be brisk northerly winds will bring showers and sunny spells, these showers wintry on hills, but less cold near coasts. Becoming mainly dry later. A widespread frost will form overnight. Maximum temperature 7 °C.

As for the weekend, the spokesman said: "Early frost. Often dry, bright on Saturday, but possible wintry flurries on Pennines. Overnight frost, then becoming less cold with rain and strengthening winds on Sunday. Dry, bright on Monday."