A County Durham Primary School has been forced to close after sub-zero temperatures have taken hold of the region.

It was announced on Monday (December 12) that Cassop Primary School will be closed throughout the morning after there was a heating failure in the building. 

In a statement, Durham County Council said: "The school will close on Monday, December 12 morning and re-open on Monday, December 12 afternoon.

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"The reason for the closure is a heating failure across the school also with no hot water. There are sub-zero temperatures in the school."

The closure comes as people have faced weather chaos on Monday morning as large parts of the UK were hit by ice, fog and snow.

The Met Office issued yellow severe weather alerts due to the wintry conditions.

It was the coldest night of the year so far with temperatures in northern Scotland dipping below minus 15 Celsius.

AA president Edmund King said the number of breakdown callouts is around 25% higher than normal.

He went on: “Many drivers were stranded or severely delayed on the northern section of the M25 last night between London Colney and the M11.

“Traffic is still severely delayed there this morning due to the continuous snow fall.

“Roads in Kent were also severely affected including the M2, and M20.

“The conditions show that it is essential to be prepared if you are driving.”

He urged drivers to check fuel levels and take warm clothing, a charged mobile phone, food and drink.

“The best advice if you must drive is to take it easy and leave a much longer distance from the vehicle in front,” he added.

Several other schools across the UK are also closed due to severe weather in other parts of England, Scotland, and Wales.

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