THE big freeze was predicted to slowly start easing today following a day of blizzards across the North-East.

After further snow, ice and freezing temperatures last night, forecasters said it should be a fine day today.

There was a white-out in parts of the region at about midday yesterday, with dozens of schools deciding to close early.

A man died after his car came off the road on a bend near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, and rolled over.

Some roads were closed for a while due to the treacherous conditions, including the A66 between Scotch Corner and Penrith.

As the snow moved south, hundreds of passengers were stranded at Britain's busiest airports last night.

British Airways had to cancel 44 flights - 36 out of Heathrow and eight from Gatwick - after snow hit the South-East.

Cash-strapped Darlington Football Club was last night praying that its match against Rochdale at the Reynolds Arena on Saturday would be going ahead.

The Quakers are in administration, with gate receipts and merchandise sales being used to pay the bills and wages.

The club's under-soil heating system is not working and a postponement would come as a blow, despite last Sunday's celebrity games raising nearly £100,000.

Joint administrator David Field said last night: "We are quite concerned. It won't be the end of the world if the game is postponed, as we are OK until the end of January.

"But it would need re-arranging for February in order for us to be comfortable."

Middlesbrough's Carling Cup semi-final tie against Arsenal last night was postponed because of the weather. It has been rescheduled for Tuesday.

A PA Weather Centre spokeswoman said: "It should be less cold on Friday and milder at the weekend, with temperatures up to 10-12C."

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