SNOW storms sweeping across parts of Britain on Thursday look likely to miss Bolton.

Experts say the borough should escape the blizzard, although it will be very cold.

A Met Office spokesman said: "It will be extremely cold in Bolton, but there is only a very slight risk of a snow shower."

Eastern and western parts of Britain were experiencing blizzard conditions this morning, especially coastal and hilly areas.

Police dealt with a spate of crashes across the South-west and a motorcyclist was killed in Cornwall when he skidded off the road.

Roads were closed and schoolchildren sent home in the north of Scotland on Wednesday after the first heavy snowfall.

Four hillwalkers had to be rescued after they got stranded in heavy blizzards on Ben Macdui in the Cairngorms.

Snow storms were predicted to persist across northern and eastern Scotland before turning to rain this afternoon.

Wintry showers also spread to Northern Ireland, Wales and south-west England, with snowfall restricted to the higher hills.