THE Highways Agency is warning drivers in Dorset to take extra care on the roads this evening and overnight as further snow and rain, possibly turning to ice, is forecast.

Police have also just warned that roads in the Marshwood, Broadwindsor and Thorncombe area are treacherous.

Eggardon, Beaminster and the road from Bridport to Crewkerne are also affected.

Watch out at White Sheet Hill, Beaminster, and also on the A35 Bridport to Dorchester Road. Blizzard like conditions have been reported.

The latest information from the Met Office is that heavy snow of 2cm to 5 cm is likely in Dorset as well as Devon, Somerset, Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, with up to 10cm possible in some places. The Highways Agency, working closely with the Met Office, has issued an amber alert for these areas advising of the potential for travel disruption. It comes as snow falls in Dorchester and Weymouth as well as some higher ground in west Dorset.

Gill Risdale, Highways Agency operations manager for the South West, said: “Our winter fleet works around the clock and roads across the South West will continue to be treated whenever there is a risk of ice or snow.

“During severe winter weather drivers should check road conditions and the weather forecast before setting out, and if conditions are poor and journeys are not essential they should think about delaying until conditions improve. “Drivers who do set out are advised to take extra care, to leave plenty of extra time for their journeys, and to leave enough distance between vehicles to stop safely. “While driving they should listen to travel bulletins on the radio and take a severe weather emergency kit including warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spade for snow.”

Information about a winter driving kit and other advice to help motorists be prepared for winter is on the Highways Agency website at highways.gov.uk/winter.

Up-to-date information on road conditions on England's motorways and trunk roads is available on the Highways Agency website at highways.gov.uk/traffic or by calling the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.

Here's your latest weather update for this area