Enjoy the snowy winter wonderland while it lasts: After temperatures plunged to MINUS 18C - get ready for the half term thaw

These scenes of winter beauty were to be found across Britain today after temperatures plunged as low as -18C last night.

But enjoy the snow-blanketed outdoors while you can because next week the weather is set to get much warmer bringing the coldest spell of the winter to a close.  


Experts said the mercury had fallen to -17.8C in Chesham, Bucks, during the early hours of the morning and was expected to plunge even lower as the icy weather continues to grip the UK. And Arctic conditions continue across Europe, with Moscow falling to -16C yesterday.

The record-breaking cold snap comes as families setting off on half-term getaways have been warned of 'deceptively dangerous' road conditions.      More