WEATHERMEN last night insisted they hadn't got it wrong and said heavy snow was still expected to sweep the region.

Light flurries of snow fell in some areas of the North-East and on the North York Moors yesterday.

Weather forecasters maintained their prediction that conditions will worsen over the next few days, with heavy snow and winds up to gale force.

Drivers were warned to take extra care after icy conditions claimed the life of one man and left several passengers injured when two coaches crashed on an icy rural road.

The vehicles were carrying about 60 workers to a bacon factory in Malton, North Yorkshire, from nearby Hull, on the B1248, near Driffield, East Yorkshire.

The driver of one of the coaches was pronounced dead at the scene and about eight of the workers, believed to be Czech citizens, were taken to hospital.

Police said the bad weather may have contributed to the accident.

A spokesman said: "It's a timely reminder to people to make considerations for the weather and allow extra time for their journeys."

Forecasters said freezing weather was due to spread south from Orkney by tonight, with temperatures plummeting as low as -15C (5F) in parts of Scotland due to wind chill.

A spokesman for the Met Office said nasty weather coming from the very north of Scotland and the islands was heading towards the North-East, and spreading across the rest of the country tonight.

He said the weather front would bring heavy snow in the North, North-East and eastern coasts with snow, gales and possibly blizzards in Scotland.

Temperatures will remain around zero and 3C during the day but it would feel colder because of the wind chill factor.

The AA said it was preparing for a breakdown rate of up to 20,000 a day - compared to the usual 12,000. Standby patrols had been increased by 20 per cent, a spokeswoman said.

The agency urged drivers to check the weather forecast before they set off and to listen to the radio bulletins while they are on the road.

Drivers were also advised to carry a mobile phone, warm clothing, a de-icer, a road map and a flask of warm drink when they travel.