PARTS of East Anglia experienced their coldest nights for many years as the New Year began.Temperatures plummeted to -9C in some areas on Tuesday night and weather experts have warned the cold weather is set to continue.

PARTS of East Anglia experienced their coldest nights for many years as the New Year began.

Temperatures plummeted to -9C in some areas on Tuesday night and weather experts have warned the cold weather is set to continue.

They predict the big thaw predicted for other parts of the country is unlikely to reach the region until early next week.

Jim Bacon from Norwich-based Weatherquest, said: "It was one of the coldest nights in the region for many, many years. The values vary because of the lie of the land which can create frost hollows, and the temperatures can vary widely in just a few miles.

The start of the point-to-point season and Ipswich Town's FA Cup Third round tie at Dagenham and Redbridge could be called off because of the freezing weather.

The Daggers' home game against Hayes on Tuesday was postponed due to a frozen pitch. Ipswich Town's friendly at Lowestoft, scheduled for tonight, has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Mr Bacon added that over the next three days south easterly winds will become stronger adding a cold bite to the air but the truly winter conditions were set to continue.

He continued: "Any change will be that it will get windier which will make it feel colder, like a raw penetrating wind, but the temperature measurement will not be colder with lower minimum temperatures of -1C to -3C instead of -6C to -10C.

"There would well be some grey spells of cloud as opposed to the bright sunshine we have had. Basically more of the same but with a cold looking pattern.

"We've not had any real cold winters only spates of cold weather for many several years, they have been mild Atlantic winters. It is difficult to shift this area of cold high pressure, the winds in the Atlantic are not strong enough to move it.

Meanwhile, drivers in the region were warned by police to take particular care on icy roads after a series of accidents.

There were crashes reported throughout Suffolk, particularly yesterday morning, while in Essex police warned of one particular area where water lapping over an Essex causeway had turned the road surface into an ice rink.

The recent cold snap has resulted in a number of cars skidding off the roads and yesterday two had fallen victim on the only route to West Mersea.

PC Gary Veal, of Stanway traffic police, said the recent high tides had left water on The Strood, which had then frozen.

"We would like to warn all drivers about the dangers," he said. "Basically the water is freezing which is making the driving conditions very treacherous.

"The conditions everywhere are bad enough at the moment but if this is covered it makes it worse. Drivers are still bombing along there regardless."

Emergency services were called to The Strood at just after 6am yesterday after a Ford Probe, travelling from Colchester, skidded off the road. The driver, a man in his late twenties or early thirties, was taken to Colchester General Hospital with cuts to his head.