Fresh snow brings more crashes - but end of freeze in sight

Three people escaped serious injury after an empty fuel tanker crashed into the back of a gritting lorry on the M42 near Portway in the early hours today.

And a woman was in hospital today after being airlifted with serious leg injuries after being hurt in a three car crash in Birmingham Street, Stourbridge that eye witnesses blamed on the icy conditions yesterday. Another pedestrian was injured, as was one of the motorists involved.

Meanwhile grit pirates are reportedly stealing salt from bins in Walsall and then offering to clear icy driveways for a fee.

Walsall Council has received reports of grit bins being plundered in Bloxwich North.

Some schools remained closed today, including eight in the Dudley borough.

Forecasters say up to two centimetres of snow fell in some parts of the region over night and predicted there could be a similar fall during the day.

Temperatures will be hovering around zero and falling to -2C (32F) tonight and possibly reaching -6C(21F) if clouds clear.

It is likely to get milder at the end of the week - but the bad news is that is likely to mean strong winds and heavy rain.

Three pages of aerial snow pictures will be published in tomorrow's Express & Star.