Weather alerts were in place this morning as commuters returned to work in icy conditions after the festive break.

Temperatures fell below freezing in and around London as the cold spell brought icy conditions to much of southern England today (Tuesday, January 3).

The mercury dropped below 0 in London, while a nationwide low of -6.4C recorded in Benson, South Oxfordshire.

A "yellow" weather alert for ice across parts of southern England remained in place until 10am on Tuesday, with the Met Office warning some roads could become "hazardous".

Forecaster Greg Dewhurst said there would have been "lots of car-scraping this morning" as people woke up to the frosty weather, and said the country was in store for another chilly day.

He added: "Despite the sunshine across England and Wales it will be quite a cold-feeling day - temperatures will be around 5C or 6C as a maximum."

"It is much milder across northern England, Northern Ireland and northern Scotland - temperatures here have generally been above freezing, between 3C and 5C - less of a frosty start."

"Even by the end of the night tonight into tomorrow morning there is a risk of some patchy frost around across the whole country but temperatures won't be as low.”

This evening will be less chilly than Monday night because of increased cloud, but some parts of southern England will still see freezing conditions.

Temperatures could reach -1C in the colder spots.