Shropshire and Mid Wales was today firmly in the grip of the Big Freeze which continued to cause chaos across Britain.

Snow fell in the region early today and up to an inch was left covering roads and pavements overnight as it spread to many areas of the UK.

Virtually every part of the country woke up to between 0.8in (2cm) and 4in (10cm) of snow today, with the east coast worst hit by flurries and sub-zero temperatures.

Today was expected to be another bitterly cold day with the mercury expected to peak at 1C (34F) but plunge to -4C (25F).

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At the Met Office weather station in Shawbury the temperature plunged to -5.3C (22F) just after 11pm yesterday.

Severe weather warnings were issued by the Met Office for almost all regions, including the Midlands.

More snowfall was expected in Shropshire later today and showers were expected until at least Thursday with temperatures expected to stay below freezing.

Drivers faced hold-ups after two cars overturned in separate crashes on Shropshire roads early today.

The B4555 Cankhorn at Bridgnorth was partially blocked in both directions between the B4363 Oldbury Road junction and the Halfway House Lane junction while the scene was cleared.

And the A49 Shrewsbury Road was left closed between the B4368 Clun Road junction in Craven Arms and the B4365 junction in Bromfield because of an overturned vehicle.

The gritters were out across the region from about 6pm yesterday and in the early hours in a bid to keep roads clear.

Some schools were closed today while others opened later or were due to finish lessons early.

They included Buntingsdale Infant Primary at Market Drayton; Bridge School at Hadley Learning Community and Onny Primary.

Gobowen Primary School re-opened today after flooding brought down ceilings yesterday.

Firefighters had to carry out a salvage operation at Oldford Infants School in Welshpool last night after a collapsed ceiling caused two classrooms to flood.