The Met Office had warned power cuts and disruption to travel will continue through to the weekend.

The temperature overnight was the coldest in 26 years with thermometers dipping below -23C in parts of Scotland.

The mercury dropped to -23C in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, the coldest temperature recorded in the UK since 1995.

In December 1995, the temperature plunged to -27.2C in Braemar.

The Met Office has said that last night was the coldest February night across the UK since 1955.

Banks of snow were said to be 70cm tall in some areas, or waist-deep.

The deepest snow recorded in Scotland for this month dates back to February 1963, where an incredible 91cm fell in Whitchester in Berwick.

Police closed the busy A249 road in Kent overnight after snow and frozen roads caused lorries to jackknife amid -7C temperatures.

Cars crashed into ditches on the A38 in Derbyshire after vehicles skidded across the tarmac.

Weather warnings for snow and ice are in place across large parts of the UK until Saturday, with the travel misery set to continue.

BIG FREEZE

Brits have been warned of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces today and into the weekend.

Roads and railways are likely to be affected as the Baltic conditions heap more suffering on commuters.

The south, east and north east of the UK face yellow snow and ice weather warnings on Thursday.

There are also yellow warnings in place tomorrow across the south west, the south of Wales and the north east.