BLIZZARDS, high winds and torrential rain brought chaos to the region yesterday - and there could be worse to come.

The sudden cold snap left the region's transport system in disarray, and residents of Ripon, Thirsk and Skipton, in North Yorkshire, in "extreme danger", according to the Environment Agency.

Schools and roads were closed, and rail passengers faced lengthy delays as up to seven centimetres of rain fell during the day.

Forecasters also estimated that as much as 20 centimetres of snow fell in parts of County Durham, Tyneside and Wearside, with Consett, Stanley and Gateshead badly affected.

Durham County Council's entire gritter fleet worked throughout the day to keep the busiest routes open to the public. By last night, about 2,000 tonnes of grit had been laid on the county's roads.

But while the rain and snow showers gradually subsided during the evening, experts warned of plummeting temperatures that could cause even more disruption on the roads today.

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for widespread ice across the North-East until 10am today.

A Met Office spokeswoman said: "We have issued warnings for the whole of the North-East.

"There will be widespread icy patches on roads that haven't been gritted. The public are advised to take extra care."

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said conditions were likely to be hazardous.

He said: "The standing water is caused by water running off already-saturated fields. But if the temperatures drop, then we could be hit by the additional problem of ice."

Police in North Yorkshire last night warned motorists that minor routes were unlikely to be gritted.

A spokesman said: "The roads have been saturated all day long and are holding a great deal of water. There is, therefore, a strong risk of the roads freezing overnight.

"We have been advised that the local authority will only be paying attention to the main routes.

"Drivers should not make unnecessary journeys."

Scores of minor roads were closed yesterday as the Environment Agency issued 66 flood warnings throughout the region. One lane of the A19 was closed near the Tees Viaduct, in Middlesbrough.

There were lengthy delays on the A6108 near Scotch Corner, in North Yorkshire, where several cars had broken down in a flooded section - and the A684 was impassable in Wensleydale.

Villagers in Gilling West, near Richmond, turned their frustration on parish councillors after flooding closed the road through the village and threatened to swamp their homes.

Jonathan Stones said residents were angry that no action had been taken after the flooding problems experienced in the village last summer.

He said: "The feeling is that nothing has been done since the last time. There were some hot tempers and a few arguments."

Four horses were trapped in the floodwater in Thirsk, while in Lebberston, near Scarborough, fire crews had to free several people stuck in their cars.

Harlow Carr Gardens, near Harrogate, had to close to visitors after pathways flooded.

Rail services were thrown into turmoil as floods hit central Leeds. Services in and out of the city were suspended, with knock-on effects across the North-East.

All routes in northern England were closed, and Network Rail was advising passengers to stay at home because its bus replacement services were affected by the road closures.

Ten schools in North Yorkshire were forced to close, including Richmond secondary school, Hunton and Arrathorne Primary School, near Bedale, the Wensleydale School, in Leyburn, and Kell Bank School, in Masham.

In County Durham, seven schools were closed. They were Delves Lane Infant and Delves Lane Junior, in Consett, Our Lady and St Joseph's RCVA Primary, in Consett, Forest-of-Teesdale Primary, near Barnard Castle, Hare Law School, in Catchgate, near Stanley, Hartside Primary, in Hartside, near Crook, Peases West, in Billy Row, near Crook, and Ramshaw Primary, in Evenwood, near Bishop Auckland. All were expected to reopen this morning.

Nationally, the Environment Agency had 14 severe flood warnings in place last night, along with more than 100 standard warnings.

Forecasters said the rain was expected to move down the country overnight, with downpours predicted in Lincolnshire, the East Midlands and East Anglia.

In Elland, near Halifax, 60 children were evacuated and taken to a local fire station after water levels rose.

The rain also brought chaos to the transport network.

There were no trains operating from Leeds to York, Harrogate, Bradford, Manchester Victoria, Sheffield or Blackpool North.