DOZENS of schools have closed in Essex this morning and the county's roads are already looking treacherous in places following heavy snowfall.

James Hore

DOZENS of schools have closed in Essex this morning and the county's roads are already looking treacherous in places following heavy snowfall.

In Colchester motorists have already been struggling with slippery roads and with the snow still falling, the situation is only getting worse.

Traffic has been building up in the area around Alresford, near Colchester and the Wivenhoe area as vehicles struggle to cope with slopes.

There was heavy snow out towards the coast in the early hours, although it has been thinning in the past few hours.

Trains are still running in the county, but services have been reduced and passengers are advised to check ahead before travelling.