Heavy Snow Hits Scotland

South west Scotland is suffering heavy snow showers as the whole of the country is hit by the coldest weather in five years.
By 2300GMT on Wednesday, Dumfries and Galloway and parts of Ayrshire and Argyll had seen the worst conditions.

Police forces throughout Scotland were urging car drivers and pedestrians to venture out with "extra caution" because of the snow, freezing fog and ice.

Sub-zero temperatures and hazardous driving conditions are expected to last for the rest of the week.

Temperatures have plunged as low as minus 12C north of the Border.

The cold snap has prompted a warning about the danger of burst pipes from engineers at Scotland's three water authorities.

They are circulating advice through leaflets and urgent television and radio advertisements in an attempt to avert damage.

In Edinburgh, Scottish Ambulance Service officers have warned walkers to stay off the steeper sections of Arthur's Seat after a number of people fell in the icy conditions and injured themselves.

Meanwhile, horse racing and athletics at the Musselburgh track in East Lothian have been disrupted by the frost.