SUFFOLK today prepared for the heaviest snowfall seen in the county in almost 20 years.

SUFFOLK today prepared for the heaviest snowfall seen in the county in almost 20 years.

Widespread disruption was expected as a result of up to ten inches falling in the South East.

The snowstorm closed carriageways on some of the region's major routes and caused further problems on side roads, but no serious accidents were reported during the early hours of the morning as drivers acknowledged warnings of hazardous road conditions.

A police spokesman said: “The bad weather did not stop traffic moving around the county.

“There were several minor traffic collisions on the roads overnight but nothing serious.

“The main roads were passable with care but side roads were a bit icy.”

On the A14, the Copdock Interchange remained open but snowfall caused treacherous driving conditions and motorists were warned to take extra care when approaching the junction to and from town.

Elsewhere the eastbound exit slip road was partially blocked at the Whitehouse Interchange junction 53, following an accident which happened shortly after 6am. Police were called at 6.14am to the scene where two cars were facing the wrong way on the carriageway.

Further north on the A14, conditions between the Woolpit and the Haughley Bends junctions proved hazardous, but police reported no serious accidents.

Meanwhile on the A12 at Marks Tey, one lane of the road was closed near junction 25 after a lorry jack-knifed.

Heavy snowfall forced Stansted, Gatwick and London City airports to close runways overnight.

Forecasters warned that blizzards would worsen this afternoon, with more snow due to fall overnight and temperatures dropping to 21F (-6C).