Drivers are being urged to take extra care on the roads as the Beast from the East arrives.

Highways England has issued a severe weather alert for Tuesday for large swathes of the east of the country, including the East of England.

With snow forecast throughout the week, Highways England’s gritting teams will be working around the clock to treat roads and keep traffic moving.

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for snow for the region from 2am to noon on Tuesday which is expected to affect motorways and major A roads throughout the morning.

Richard Leonard, Highways England’s head of road safety, said: “Gritters are out treating our routes around the clock but it is still important to drive to the conditions when snow is forecast.

“If you need to travel in the morning, make sure you keep your distance and reduce your speed because, even in conditions that seem normal and when the snow is not settling, it can be slippery if ice patches have formed, or where fresh salt has not been worked into the carriageway.

“Drivers should plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel if they really need to travel.”