Updates Malta flights:

Britain struggled under fresh dumps of snow today as flights were cancelled and Christmas getaway plans were thrown into disarray.

Planes were grounded at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, on what is traditionally the busiest weekend for travellers before Christmas.

Meanwhile, overnight blizzards and plummeting temperatures buckled a huge chunk of the nation's road and rail networks as the latest blast of wintery weather showed little sign of easing.

Southampton Airport was closed until 12pm due to the adverse weather, while flights to certain destinations from Birmingham Airport were also grounded.

Stansted and London Luton airports remained open this morning but travellers were advised that severe weather conditions in other areas could affect flights.

A spokeswoman for Gatwick said the airport was bracing itself for another 10-12cms of snow later today, making more delays and cancellations inevitable.

British Airways has cancelled all European and domestic flights at Gatwick and all flights at Heathrow, between 10am and 5pm.

"It is fair to say there will be further disruption," she said.

"At the moment the runway is still operating and the airport is open, but the weather forecasters are predicting more snow. We're asking passengers to contact their airlines."

A spokeswoman for Heathrow said: "The airport is open and has broadly started well this morning, but the airport will be challenged today, certainly.

"Obviously a lot of our destination airports are affected too.

Officials advised all passengers to check their flight status before travelling to the airport.

There was also widespread chaos on major roads and motorways.

The North West of England was hit with reported deluges of up to 25cm of snow and hundreds of motorists were left stranded on the M6 in Greater Manchester.

Meanwhile, parts of the south were also blanketed and as much as a foot of the white stuff is expected to fall on parts of the South East and the Midlands today.

Forecasters expect the mercury will struggle to break freezing in the next 24 hours, after overnight temperatures dropped as low as minus 13C in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, with Gatwick producing a reading of minus 11C.

MALTA FLIGHTS

The Malta flight cancelled are the morning Airmalta/Lufthans to and from Frankfurt, Germany, Ryanair's to and from Pisa, Italy and Easyjet's to and from Gatwick. The Air Malta/BMI flights to and from Heathrow and Gatwick are delayed as is the Malta/Lufthansa flight to and from Frankfurt and the Easyjet flight to and from Manchester.

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