SNOW has fallen across north Essex as a late winter blast sweeps across the county.

Gritting lorries headed out from Friday following forecasts of freezing weekend.

A Met Office yellow warning for ice and snow covering Essex for Saturday and Sunday has remained in place.

A yellow warning means there is either a low likelihood with a potential for high impact, or a stronger possibility of bad weather but with a lower impact.

Police have warned drivers to take care on the roads.

The Essex Weather centre predicts lows of 1 Celsius in Colchester with rain, sleet and snow a high possibility.

Essex Police have issued the following tips to motorists:

Make sure all your car lights are working and you have no failed bulbs. Ensure that dirt, salt and snow is cleared away from light fixtures.

• Always ensure all windows are fully cleared of snow, frost and condensation before setting off on a journey - it is illegal to drive with obscured vision.

• Also clear snow from the top of the car as this can fall down and obscure your windscreen while you are driving.

• Keep windscreen washer fluid topped up as windscreens quickly become dirty from traffic spray and salt from the roads.

• Make sure you have sufficient fuel for your journey. Keep the fuel tank topped up.

• Give yourself extra time for your journey and drive at a constant speed. Do not brake or change direction suddenly and look to anticipate changes in the traffic flow ahead. Accept your journey will take longer and don't take risks.

• Turn your lights on whilst driving to make sure you can be seen by other motorists

• Take a mobile telephone with you and make sure it is fully charged. Carry a mobile charger in the car.

• If you get stuck then stay with your car; but in an emergency if you do need to leave it, park it out of the main traffic route, where it won't cause an obstruction when conditions ease. Leave a contact number on the inside of the windscreen and return to your car at the first opportunity you have.