Frost and fog as big chill goes on

Londoners have been warned to brace themselves for more sub-zero temperatures as a big chill grips the nation.

Forecasters predicted a "very cold" New Year's Eve following snow in the Home Counties, with temperatures remaining low during the week.

A London Weather Centre spokesman said: "There will be a sharp frost overnight on New Year's Eve. It will feel colder than it has been and there is also an increased risk of fog."

Temperatures in central London will drop to -1C and will dip as low as -4C in the Home Counties. In the coastal areas of Kent and East Anglia, there will be snow showers in the next few days. Further north in Lincolnshire, temperatures could plunge to -6C overnight.

A 19-year-old man died after slipping through the ice on a reservoir. The man's body was recovered from Harlaw Reservoir in Balerno, near Edinburgh, last night.

The victim, who has not been named, was with a group of other men throwing stones onto the frozen water when he went on to the ice.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said the tragedy highlighted the dangers of wandering on to frozen water ways.

Snow and icy conditions were also blamed by police today for a road accident in which a woman died and three others were injured.

The accident occurred on the A148 in Gunthorpe, Norfolk, at 5.26pm last night when a white Nissan Primera collided with a red Lexus.

The front seat passenger of the Primera died and three others in the car were also injured.