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Airports closed after heavy snow Airports closed after heavy snow
(10 minutes later)
Three airports have suspended flights and hundreds of schools have been closed after heavy snowfall across large areas of the north of EnglandThree airports have suspended flights and hundreds of schools have been closed after heavy snowfall across large areas of the north of England
Manchester Airport has suspended flights at least until 1200 GMT and there are no flights out of Liverpool John Lennon or Leeds Bradford. Manchester Airport has suspended flights until at least 1200 GMT and there are no flights out of Liverpool John Lennon or Leeds Bradford.
Motorists have been warned not to travel unless necessary.Motorists have been warned not to travel unless necessary.
The snow is expected to move into the Midlands later with up to up to 10cm (4ins) predicted in places.The snow is expected to move into the Midlands later with up to up to 10cm (4ins) predicted in places.
Avoid areasAvoid areas
Air passengers have been urged to check their flight status with the airline.Air passengers have been urged to check their flight status with the airline.
Bus operator Stagecoach said it had suspended many of its services across Greater Manchester because of the conditions, but was trying to operate on main routes into the city.Bus operator Stagecoach said it had suspended many of its services across Greater Manchester because of the conditions, but was trying to operate on main routes into the city.
Roads in higher ground in Greater Manchester have been described as "poor" in some areas.Roads in higher ground in Greater Manchester have been described as "poor" in some areas.
A police spokesman said: "Our advice is if you don't have to travel today - please don't.A police spokesman said: "Our advice is if you don't have to travel today - please don't.
Gritters have tried to open those roads up and, I'll be honest with you, they are really, really poor Police spokesmanGritters have tried to open those roads up and, I'll be honest with you, they are really, really poor Police spokesman
"In Oldham and Rochdale - particularly higher ground areas - the snowfall has been really quite heavy."In Oldham and Rochdale - particularly higher ground areas - the snowfall has been really quite heavy.
"Gritters have tried to open those roads up and, I'll be honest with you, they are really, really poor. If you can avoid these areas please do.""Gritters have tried to open those roads up and, I'll be honest with you, they are really, really poor. If you can avoid these areas please do."
Greater Manchester Police also urged the public to only call 999 in an emergency, where there was a threat to life or a crime in progress.Greater Manchester Police also urged the public to only call 999 in an emergency, where there was a threat to life or a crime in progress.
Supt Karan Lee said: "I would like to reassure the public that we will attend all emergencies however our response vehicles could also be hindered by the adverse weather conditions and it may take us a little longer to get you."Supt Karan Lee said: "I would like to reassure the public that we will attend all emergencies however our response vehicles could also be hindered by the adverse weather conditions and it may take us a little longer to get you."
Police have been dealing with a "multitude" of minor collisions, as well as a number of serious crashes, she told BBC Radio Manchester.
Elsewhere in the country 10 train services between London and Leeds on the East Coast Main Line have been cancelled.Elsewhere in the country 10 train services between London and Leeds on the East Coast Main Line have been cancelled.
Budget airline easyJet has cancelled eight flights into and out of the UK at its operations at Manchester and Luton airports.Budget airline easyJet has cancelled eight flights into and out of the UK at its operations at Manchester and Luton airports.
Roads closedRoads closed
More than 100 schools have been closed in Greater Manchester and a similar number in Lancashire. In Merseyside and Cheshire, about 15 schools were closed. More than 100 schools have been closed in Greater Manchester and a similar number in Lancashire. In Merseyside and Cheshire, about 90 were shut.
In Cumbria, about 20 schools have been closed and 33 have been closed across Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne and Wear.In Cumbria, about 20 schools have been closed and 33 have been closed across Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne and Wear.
The Highways Agency also said the A66 in Cumbria is closed both ways between the junctions with the A1 and A685.The Highways Agency also said the A66 in Cumbria is closed both ways between the junctions with the A1 and A685.
A number of lanes were closed on parts of the M6 and M60 in Greater Manchester after a number of lorries jack-knifed. The M58 was shut completely because of snow on the carriageways.A number of lanes were closed on parts of the M6 and M60 in Greater Manchester after a number of lorries jack-knifed. The M58 was shut completely because of snow on the carriageways.
Some roads in higher remote areas of Oldham and Rochdale have been described as impassable.Some roads in higher remote areas of Oldham and Rochdale have been described as impassable.
The Highways Agency said continuous salt treatment was being undertaken on the motorway network in high risk areas.The Highways Agency said continuous salt treatment was being undertaken on the motorway network in high risk areas.
Spokeswoman Jenny Hart said there were "very difficult" driving conditions on many roads and urged motorists to avoid travel wherever possible.Spokeswoman Jenny Hart said there were "very difficult" driving conditions on many roads and urged motorists to avoid travel wherever possible.
"Despite constant gritting we have accumulations of snow on the carriageways but our snow ploughs have been out through the night," she said."Despite constant gritting we have accumulations of snow on the carriageways but our snow ploughs have been out through the night," she said.