BRITAIN TO BE HIT BY MAJOR SNOW STORM BLAST

THE big freeze is set to take a stormy turn with blizzards bringing chaos across the UK.

- CHRIS RICHES

Met Office forecasters warned of a rare "multi-hazard" event lashing the nation with wind, snow and rain as Storm Goretti sweeps in.

Up to eight inches of snow could fall on higher ground in England and Wales as this week's bitter temperatures remain well below average into the weekend.

Disruption

The Met Office warned: "Storm Goretti is likely to bring heavy snow leading to disruption and difficult travelling conditions.

"A spell of heavy snow is likely to develop over higher ground in South Wales later on Thursday before rain turns to snow more widely over parts of England and Wales during Thursday night." School closures will continue today after more than 1,000 stayed shut yesterday due to icy roads or snow drifts making travel hazardous.

But there were some heartwarming scenes as blue skies tempted some brave souls to venture out into the winter wonderland.

Race horses enjoyed a walk on the snowy beach by Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland, children took to their sledges in Newcastle-underLyme, Staffs, and intrepid James Lowe, 56, tried a spot of snowboarding in Oldham, Greater Manchester.