Brother of the beast Britain hit as the big freeze makes a return

by BRITAIN shivered yesterday as the Mini Beast from the East left parts of the country blanketed by snow.

The Met Office issued its secondhighest level of weather warning for snow and ice in the Midlands, North West England, Yorkshire and Humberside, London, the South East and East of England.

Parts of Eastern England and Scotland were blanketed by more than an inch of snow. More snowfall was expected overnight, especially in the South West, with temperatures ex- pected to drop below freezing. The cold snap sparked travel chaos on the roads, rail and more than 100 flights were cancelled or delayed.

Forecasters called the icy blast a smaller version of the Beast from the East which brought freezing temperatures and widespread disruption early this month.

Scores of flights were cancelled at Heathrow yesterday while passengers at Newcastle, Luton, London City and Leeds Bradford air- ports were delayed. Great Western Railway services were disrupted, while motorists were advised to avoid routes including the M62 and M1. Highways England said: “Our gritters will be out treating our roads around the clock.” The cold snap is expected to cost households an extra £25million in fuel bills as we crank up heating.

However temperatures should return to normal by Tuesday.