Britain is preparing to be hit by an icy blast of Arctic weather this week, leading to many people cranking up the heating in order to stay warm.

The conditions will be caused by a high-pressure system which is currently situated over Russia and parts of Scandinavia.

It will push easterly winds down towards the UK, with temperatures dropping as low as -10C.

Paul Mott, a forecaster for MeteoGroup, said: "There has been a sprinkling of snow overnight over parts of Wales, Devon, Somerset and Hampshire. It has mainly been over hills - with accumulations of up to five centimetres in some areas - but there have also been some falls on lower ground locally."

He went on to say that Gloucestershire, Somerset and south Wales will be covered in wet snow, however, it should not settle and therefore traffic will not be too badly affected.

The conditions could come as a shock to many after Britain has largely avoided a cold spell so far this winter.