Big chill set to sweep Britain

Britain is bracing itself for a big chill in the run-up to the New Year. Forecasters said snow and freezing temperatures would sweep across most of the country throughout the week.

Britain is bracing itself for a big chill in the run-up to the New Year. Forecasters said snow and freezing temperatures would sweep across most of the country throughout the week.

The weather has already left bookmakers nursing a financial hangover after snow fell on Christmas Day in some cities.

Temperatures overnight will range between minus 6C in Central England and minus 8C in Scotland, said Elizabeth Anetts, a PA WeatherCentre spokeswoman.

Temperatures today are not expected to rise above zero in many parts of the country, with areas of Scotland staying well below freezing. A heavy band of snow will then move across England on Thursday. "There is a cold front streaming down from the Arctic Circle, but things will be starting to turn milder on New Year's Day."

But the mild weather during the rest of December has meant daffodils and primroses at the Royal Botanic Gardens' country garden in Wakehurst Place, West Sussex, flowering at least two months before they should.