DRIVERS were being urged to take care on the roads last night as heavy snowfall hit the region.

The AA warned drivers to slow down after police reported a spate of minor road accidents in the bad weather.

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: "The weather forecast is just showing snow showers and it's a bit hard to tell how much will fall or if it will cause problems. We are monitoring the situation."

Forecasters said the cold snap would last for at least the next ten days, with the possibility of more snow strongest this weekend.

An Online Weather spokes-man said: "Temperatures will struggle to reach freezing all week, with a low of around minus three degrees centigrade during the night."

Meanwhile, fears of flooding in the region abated last night as the levels of the Ouse and the Derwent, in North Yorkshire, continued to drop.

Flood warnings remained in York, Stamford Bridge, Naburn Lock and Buttercrambe Mill. Flood watches, the lowest level of warning, were in place in Cleveland, Darlington, the North York Moors, Swaledale, Wensleydale and the Vale of York.

The Environment Agency spokeswoman said: "In terms of the rainfall, the worst of the situation appears to be over."

Emergency services and councils throughout the region said that there had been no reports of flooding.

However, in other parts of the country, scores of homeowners were last night facing flooding misery as river levels continued to rise.

Four severe flood warnings were in place - three in Bedfordshire and one in Surrey.

Top tips for road safety

The AA has issued advice for winter motoring:

* Use water-repellent spray on door locks and then oil them.

* Use a cigarette lighter to warm a key for a frozen lock.

* Carry the following items in your vehicle: ice scraper, de-icer, torch, first-aid kit, tow rope, blankets, warm coat, boots, jump leads, snow shovel, warning triangle, water-repellent spray.

* Windscreen washer fluid should be topped up and treated with an additive to reduce the chance of freezing.

* Clear snow from the roof as well as from windows, so it does not fall on to the windscreen, obscuring your view.

* Stopping distances are ten times longer in ice and snow, so gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving.

* Wear comfortable, dry shoes. Snow-covered boots will slip on the pedals.

* Select second gear when pulling away, easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin.

* Try to maintain a constant speed, choosing the most suitable gear in advance to avoid having to change down while climbing a hill.

* If you get stuck, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels. Put a sack or old rug in front of the driving wheels to give the tyres some grip. Once on the move again, try not to stop until you reach firmer ground.