The Met Office and Public Health England have issued weather warnings for the east as temperatures plummet.

A Level 3 Cold Weather Alert has been issued, with average temperatures below 2C, and sleet and snow present in Suffolk.

This morning at rush hour, flurries of snow were reported in Stowmarket and Thetford.

Dr Angie Bone of Public Health England said: “It’s worth remembering that while most outdoor slips, trips and falls in weather like this are of those who are of working age, accidents can happen to anyone.

“If you’re staying indoors have plenty of warm food and drinks to stay warm.

“Try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18°C, particularly if you are not mobile, have a long term illness or are over 65, and check weather forecasts and plan your day around them.

“Although most of our advice on keeping warm and well in cold weather may seem like common sense, it’s important to remember that cold kills, even in places where the temperatures aren’t at their lowest.”

Forecasters at Weatherquest expect temperatures to remain low, dropping to -1C or -2C overnight, with an increased risk of frost over the coming days.

Paul Gunderson, chief operational meteorologist at the Met Office said: “It will turn much colder for all parts of England over the next few days.

“Spells of sleet and snow at the start of the period will become increasingly confined to the North Sea coast and hills, giving way to cold, crisp days and sharp overnight frosts with a risk of ice.

“Frosts may also be severe at times, particularly where there is lying snow.

“As winds fall light there is an increasing risk of freezing fog patches forming overnight and locally where this freezing fog lingers temperatures may stay sub-zero all day.

“The cold weather currently looks like lasting into the early part of next week with a trend towards less cold conditions during the second half of next week.”