The big freeze felt even colder today after bitter winds from northern Europe sent temperatures plummeting further heralding more big snowfalls.

It came as the Conservatives accused the Government of “utter failure” after councils were told to use less salt to make supplies last during the freezing weather, but Transport Secretary Lord Adonis rejected the claim.

Gritters were out across Telford & Wrekin from about 4am today and the council has reassured people it will still have supplies of salt to last six days despite the national shortage.

Shropshire Council said it had enough grit also for another six days.

Temperatures have fallen so low that large ice floes have formed on the River Severn in Shropshire. Conditions are expected to be freezing virtually everywhere during the day, but forecasters said it would feel much colder because of icy blasts sweeping in from Scandinavia and Germany.

Heavy snow is expected in many eastern parts of the country today and tomorrow, including the south east of England.

Snow is also expected to hit Shropshire and Mid Wales tomorrow and Monday with sub zero temperatures remaining into the week. The weather station at Shawbury recorded a temperature of -7C (19F). The coldest temperature of -14.5C (6F) was recorded overnight in Tulloch Bridge in Inverness-shire, Scotland.

Some of this weekend’s biggest sports events joined the list of weather-related casualties. Six Premier League games are off, with other league games, horse racing meets and rugby union matches also postponed. Shrewsbury Town’s home game against Barnet had already been called off.

Two more people died yesterday in weather-related incidents, taking the death toll since before Christmas to 24. Two brothers rescued from a frozen lake in Watermead Country Park, Leicester, died in hospital.