Heavy snow at the beginning of the week gave way to freezing fog in West Norfolk yesterday, where temperatures stayed in minus figures.

Major roads were gritted and moving well with few reported problems, but commuters on rural routes faced a hazardous journey into work with ice, poor visibility and slush to contend with.

Lows of -13C were recorded at Marham weather station overnight on Tuesday, making it one of the coldest places in the UK, and it was still reporting temperatures of -11.5C during rush hour yesterday.

The freezing fog and mist refused to lift despite some sunshine breaking through and commuters headed home in -5C conditions last night.

King's Lynn town centre was quieter than usual during the day, with empty spaces in most of the main car parks, including the St James multi-storey.

More than 30 schools were shut to staff and pupils in the west, with most headteachers blaming the treacherous travelling conditions.

The list of closed schools included a number in towns, such as Highgate Infant School in Lynn and Hunstanton's Smithdon High School, as well as those in rural spots including Sedgeford, Bircham and Snettisham.

West Norfolk Council apologised to householders after all brown bin collections - for garden waste - were cancelled.

Crews were instead attempting to collect general rubbish and recycling bins from the homes not reached on Tuesday and the council is urging residents to lend a hand by parking considerately and leaving their bins somewhere easy to reach.

Most areas in the west escaped with just a few isolated snow flurries yesterday, but forecasters are predicting further snow showers in coastal parts today (Thursday).

The temperature in King's Lynn today is about -8C.

West Norfolk is also bracing itself for bitterly cold winds tomorrow with the possibility of heavier snow overnight and into Saturday morning.