A MAN died when his car left the A1 in North Yorkshire in atrocious driving conditions early yesterday.

The Ford Capri was travelling south from Scotch Corner when it careered off the road and into a fence just north of the A684 interchange, at Leeming Bar.

The driver, who has not yet been identified by police, was certified dead at the scene.

Police are hoping to trace other drivers who might have been in the area at about 7am yesterday.

Witnesses to the accident can contact the Richmond road traffic unit on (01748) 823055.

Meanwhile, the blizzards also caused early morning chaos across the rest of North Yorkshire as the cold front moved south from Scotland and the North-East overnight.

The A66 across the Pennines was closed at Scotch Corner, as well as the A170 at Sutton Bank. Dozens of minor roads were also impassable.

More than 40 schools across the county closed for the day, and the Army was called in from Catterick Garrison to help to deliver meals to dozens of elderly residents in neighbouring Richmond.