West Midlands weather: Warning for drivers as fog and freezing temperatures hit

Temperatures dipped below freezing, and there were reports of accidents and 'several' cars being stolen while owners left them to defrost.

In Wolverhampton, firefighters issued an ice warning after a crash on the Cannock Road which closed the road at Cross Street North.

West Midlands Police said they had had several reports of vehicles stolen whilst defrosting in just one hour this morning.

And Central Motorway Police Group said one woman was given words of advice after leaving her £17,000 car to defrost while she cooked a bacon sandwich.

Travellers should expect difficult driving conditions, longer trips and possible delays to their flights on Thursday.

A Met Office spokesman said: "Combined with temperatures below freezing, there is also the risk of ice forming on some untreated surfaces early on Thursday morning.

"The fog patches are expected to slowly thin during Thursday, although some patches may persist throughout the day - most likely in a zone from the West Country to eastern England."

Paramedics in the West Midlands also took to Twitter to alert motorists to the danger posed by the weather.

Motorists were warned that roads could become "lethal" due to the hazardous combination of poor visibility and the onset of ice, the AA said.

The AA urged "extreme caution" for those heading out on the roads, adding that extra time should be allowed, tyres properly inflated and screens adequately de-iced.

Spokesman Ian Crowder said: "We have got the worst possible conditions really, of fog and icy roads, and that can be lethal.

"I think the message is extreme caution and to prepare for the worst and make sure all windows are clear."

He added that failure to do so could "lead to disaster".

Drivers on the M6 also experienced delays after a lane was closed due to a three-vehicle crash.

Emergency services said no-one was injured in the collision between J19 and J20, Cheshire, and the road was cleared and fully reopened by mid-morning.

Public Health England (PHE) issued advice for the over 65s, those with long-term illness or who are not mobile.

Dr Thomas Waite, consultant in extreme events and health protection at PHE, said: "The effects of cold can be severe, in particular for those who are over 65, have a long-term illness, or are not mobile. Our advice to these groups is when indoors, have plenty of warm food and drinks and try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C.

"If mobility isn't an issue, keep active as best you can. If you need to go out wear lots of thin layers, and shoes with a good, slip-resistant grip to prevent any accidental falls. It is particularly cold at night this week, so drawing the curtains at dusk will keep the heat in."

He also stressed the importance of checking on potentially vulnerable family and friends during the cold period.