
BRITAIN looks set for a White Christmas as forecasters last night warned of “killer ice” on the roads with temperatures plunging as low as -10C (14F).
Drivers yesterday faced treacherous conditions as up to three inches of snow, and torrential rain, lashed the country.
The Met Office issued a rare nationwide ice warning from 3pm yesterday until Monday morning. Drivers face black ice, even on gritted roads during the day.
Yesterday bookies slashed the odds on a White Christmas as bets increased tenfold. Coral spokesman Gary Burton said: “The current snowfall has had many more punters rushing out to get their bets on. Betting on a White Christmas is busier than ever this year and turnover is up 25 per cent on the previous year. We are already facing a six figure payout in the capital if it snows on the 25th.”
Newcastle is now the city with the shortest odds at just 5/2. Glasgow, Manchester and Leeds are priced at 3/1 and London is 9/2
But last night it was feared the big freeze could cost the economy hundreds of millions of pounds if shoppers stay away from the stores on the busiest retail weekend of the year. Yesterday the Highways Agency, police, the AA and the Met Office issued alerts amid fears of a rash of fatal accidents as the Arctic blast sweeps in.
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express.co.uk