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England in grip of severe weather England in grip of severe weather
(40 minutes later)
Snow has fallen across large parts of England, leading to warnings of travel chaos and the closure of hundreds of schools.Snow has fallen across large parts of England, leading to warnings of travel chaos and the closure of hundreds of schools.
The problems began in the early hours with southern areas and the Midlands particularly badly affected. Further heavy falls are predicted.The problems began in the early hours with southern areas and the Midlands particularly badly affected. Further heavy falls are predicted.
Some airports were closed in the morning and motorists are being warned to expect bad conditions.Some airports were closed in the morning and motorists are being warned to expect bad conditions.
Gritters have been out and drivers told not to travel unless essential.Gritters have been out and drivers told not to travel unless essential.
A lorry jack-knifed on the A3 at Hindhead, Surrey, on Thursday morning causing a small stretch of the A3 to close southbound.A lorry jack-knifed on the A3 at Hindhead, Surrey, on Thursday morning causing a small stretch of the A3 to close southbound.
Snow has been falling in Worcester since the early hoursA Highways Agency spokesman said that generally there had been the usual number of incidents on the roads as drivers made their way to work.Snow has been falling in Worcester since the early hoursA Highways Agency spokesman said that generally there had been the usual number of incidents on the roads as drivers made their way to work.
Essex police said they had been called to more than 150 incidents across the county and Kent police warned that rural routes and side roads had been affected by snow.
A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said 19 snow-related road accidents were reported between 0400 GMT and 0900 GMT, but none were serious.
The A36 near Salisbury was closed for a short time while a trapped driver was removed from his vehicle.
The blanket of snow stretched from the south of England to the Midlands and reached up to Lancashire and across to the Humber.
Rail delays
Luton Airport said all flights had been suspended until 1230 GMT.Luton Airport said all flights had been suspended until 1230 GMT.
Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for advice on what to do.Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for advice on what to do.
The runway at Stansted Airport was closed just after 0600 GMT as more than half a million square metres of snow needed to be cleared.The runway at Stansted Airport was closed just after 0600 GMT as more than half a million square metres of snow needed to be cleared.
Rail delays
It reopened at 1100 GMT and ground teams are now working to clear the backlog of flights.It reopened at 1100 GMT and ground teams are now working to clear the backlog of flights.
Gatwick Airport's runway was shut briefly and about 20 flights were cancelled. Heavy falls are expected to continue into the afternoonGatwick Airport's runway was shut briefly and about 20 flights were cancelled.
On the railways, Virgin Trains warned passengers it would be running revised services and advised people to check before travelling. On the railways, Network Rail said all routes were open, but services were running with delays.
First Great Western, Midland Mainline, South West Trains and Southern Railways also said services had been disrupted. Virgin Trains operated an amended timetable on services into and out of London Euston.
It said it would run hourly services to each of its major destinations, with journey times likely to be extended.
Train services run by South West Trains and Southern into London and First Great Western to Gatwick Airport were among those cancelled or disrupted.