Arctic temperatures and widespread ice caused a new round of disruption today with a temperature of minus 17 degrees Celsius recorded in South Oxfordshire.

Forecasters warned of icy roads and treacherous travel conditions across virtually the whole country -and no let-up yet in the arctic conditions.

Steve Ellison, from MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "It is very icy out there. Everywhere there has been snow has been affected, especially where the snow melted yesterday.

"There's no end in sight to the cold weather at the moment. It is going to be like this for a good few days yet."

Benson was one of the UK's coldest spots, plunging to minus 17C, while parts of Manchester saw the mercury plunge to minus 15C (5F), with Glasgow seeing minus 9C (16F) and even central London falling to minus 3C (27F).

There were some small signs of respite today, with no extreme weather warnings for the first time in two days, all UK airports open and train operators putting on more services for hard-pressed travellers.