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The big freeze finally hit Britain today, carpeting much of the north in snow and ice, while temperatures plummet across the rest of the country.

After the second-warmest November since records began in 1910, many woke up to widespread frost this morning and the task of de-icing their windscreens.

Forecasters have warned that four inches of snow will fall in the next 48 hours causing misery for motorists.

A lorry driver died this morning after his vehicle skidded off a trunk road in north Lincolnshire after driving conditions turned treacherous.

Humberside Police said the white Scania lorry, which was fully loaded with meat, left the westbound carriageway of the A160 in South Killingholme at about 4.14am.

Police across the north of England and Scotland are warning motorists to take extra care due to sleet and snow.

The Met Office today issued severe weather warnings of snow and ice for most of Scotland, Northern Ireland, much of northern England and parts of the Midlands.

Overnight 10cm of snow fell in Eskdalemuir in Dumfries and Galloway, while Spadeadam, near Carlisle in Cumbria had 6cm.

While the Met Office said it was 'too early to tell' whether we can expect a white Christmas, bookies have now slashed the odds. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle have all been reduced in price, while London's Heathrow Airport was also cut to 11-2 from 6-1.

A fleet of 130 gritters were out in force overnight and used 3,000 tonnes of salt to treat roads in the northern parts of the country.

But the M74 in South Lanarkshire was still down to one lane southbound after an HGV jack-knifed earlier today. The A74 in Dumfries and Galloway was also reduced to one lane when another lorry jack-knifed.

Assistant Chief Constable Allan Moffat, of Central Scotland Police and the Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland), said: 'I would ask people to remember that both damp and snow-affected roads can hide the hidden danger of black ice, particularly in shaded areas.

'Our message is very much aimed at asking motorists to be aware of the dangers and travel with extra caution.'

Police reported a loss of the 999 call service in the Rosehall area of Lairg in Sutherland, affecting 176 telephone lines due to the wintry weather conditions.

The Met Office has predicted sub-zero temperatures and strong winds will continue for the rest of the week in northern and western parts, while gales with gusts up to 40mph are due to hit the region tomorrow morning.

The south west and east will remain dry and bright but bitterly cold as the weeks moves forward, but there is a risk of fog and frost overnight.

Gritters were put on stand-by and motorists warned to take extra precautions after up to three inches fell over the weekend.