Amid the coldest November for 25 years, parts of Britain have been brought to a standstill by snow and ice, with widespread disruption to airports, roads and railways. Londoners woke up to a thin dusting of snow amid reports that the “big freeze” could reach every part of the UK.

Airports in the north of England and Scotland have been hit hardest. Edinburgh Airport remains closed due to heavy snow, whilst Glasgow Airport is now operating a limited service following its closure yesterday.

Hundreds of schools have been forced to close, as the UK endures the earliest widespread snowfall since 1993.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for almost every part of the UK, bar the Scottish Highlands, south-west England, and western Wales.

Up to 5cm of snow fell in the north of England overnight, with North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Merseyside all experiencing heavy and persistent flurries.

Motoring organisations the AA and the RAC warned commuters to continue to take great care, even on major roads that had been gritted.

The AA said Monday was one of the busiest in its 105-year history after being called to more than 20,000 breakdowns.

The unusual weather is being caused by high pressure over Greenland and low pressure in the Baltic states, forcing cold winds from the north-east across Europe.