Heavy snow is heading for the region this weekend - but a white Christmas has been ruled out by weather experts.

Icy conditions, strong winds and snow are due to sweep across the North on Sunday afternoon and evening.

But the cold snap is due to end on Monday with milder weather moving in to set up a green Christmas.

Neil Talboys, of the PA Weather Centre, said: "We are looking at a big blast of cold northerly winds coming in during Sunday and it is expected to bring snow, primarily over the higher ground inland to the North-East and North Yorkshire.

"In places like the North York Moors there could be a problem. They could end up with a fair bit of snow from these showers.

"Along the coast there will not be a problem because of the higher temperatures."

The last white Christmas was in 2001 when snow and sleet fell across northern and western areas of the UK. "There will be no white Christmas this year," said Mr Talboys. "It will be green. This cold snap is very short lived and will only last for about 24 hours.

"Temperatures will improve on late Monday and into Tuesday and by the time it gets to Christmas Eve there is going to be westerly winds and temperatures above zero."

Despite these predictions, William Hill is still offering odds of 7/2 for a white Christmas in Newcastle.

The AA has warned drivers to take extra care. Claire Price, spokeswoman for the North-East, said: "Keep it slow and avoid sudden braking."

Meanwhile, power chiefs denied that there was an increased risk of blackouts this Christmas after BBC radio reported that a series of internal e-mails showed urgent maintenance work had not been completed.