STRONG winds threaten to cause blizzard conditions in some parts of the region in the run-up to New Year.

Parts of the North-East woke up to four inches of snow yesterday.

Further snow showers were forecast for last night, and more is likely tomorrow before milder weather moves in on New Year's Day.

The bitterly cold conditions could leave a far more damaging legacy as the snow thaws next week, with the Environment Agency bracing itself for possible flooding. A spokeswoman said: "We haven't put out any flood warnings because it is far too early to predict how damaging the eventual thaw could be.

"But that doesn't mean that we aren't concerned because there is more snow on the way and we would urge people in parts where the snow has been especially severe to keep an eye on newspaper, radio and television warnings for potential flooding."

The big freeze brought the AA's busiest day of the year with about 3,000 call-outs an hour. Three vehicles were involved in an accident on the A1 at Gateshead, causing delays.

But the rest of the region's roads remained open, with even minor roads on the coast and on higher ground still passable.

An AA spokesman said: "Conditions have been hellish to drive in, especially in the North-East, Cumbria and parts of Scotland."

l The year 2000 was one of the warmest and wettest in England since records began in 1659, according to the PA WeatherCentre.