The roads situation in Gloucestershire is rapidly deteriorating tonight with police warning motorists to take extra care.

Snow is being compacted into ice and many roads are extremely slippery, including Honeybourne Way, near Waitrose in Cheltenham, at the junction with St George’s Road.

The steep incline is making it difficult for cars to get up and some are turning around to find alternative routes.

Gloucestershire police said tonight: “Minor roads in Cheltenham and Gloucester centres are starting to become dangerous for vehicles.

“If you have to drive, please do so cautiously and according to the road conditions.”

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Elsewhere in the county, many motorists seem to have heeded warnings as the A417 and M5 through the county have been very quiet this evening.

The M5 further south through Bristol and towards the South West has been affected by the weather and there are warnings from Highways England and Avon and Somerset Police to avoid roads within the red weather warning zone.

Buses in the county have also been under strain with poor conditions on some roads