A group of boys today plunged through ice as they walked across a frozen Telford lake sparking police patrols at every body of water across the borough.

Police said the boys scrambled to safety at Tee Lake in Dothill, but just minutes later officers were sent to The Flash at Priorslee after reports of three people on the frozen water.

Police have now warned people to stay off ice after an Arctic blast sent temperatures plummeting – and weather forecasters are warning worse is to come with temperatures as low as -10C (14F) predicted tonight.

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Police were this afternoon sending officers to check every pool and lake across the district.

Inspector Richard Langton, from Wellington, said: “It’s extremely dangerous and they are putting everybody at risk by going out on the ice. They should steer clear and stay off.

“For anybody to fall through the ice, no matter how young and fit they are, their chances of survival are very slim.” 

He said they had found evidence of footprints and cycle tracks on the ice at The Flash and a large group of youths had been dispersed from the area.

Snow covered much of the region this morning, causing chaos for motorists as many people returned to work and school for the first time since the festive break.

John Warner, Shropshire Star weatherman, said: “Temperatures plummeted to -5C  (23F) during the night, but as the snow arrived the temperature rose above freezing (0C or 32F). When the snow cleared it dropped to -3C (27F), which may have caused any problems on the roads.

“We may have an odd light snow shower today, but the worst will be the very severe frost tonight when we will feel the lowest temperature so far this winter which might drop down to -10C (14F).”

Police issued a warning to drivers to be aware of the dangers of driving in freezing conditions. Motorists faced slow journeys to work causing the A41 through Albrighton and Cosford to come to a standstill during this morning’s rush hour.

Drivers were also diverted after a crash on the B5062 close to Waters Upton at 8.25am, when a Nissan Micra and a lorry collided. The Micra driver, a 21-year-old woman, was airlifted to hospital.

By Lisa Rowley