BIRMINGHAM was today braced for an icy blast as another bout of snow worked its way across parts of the country.

Met Office forecasters predicted sleet and snow would develop across the region during the day, with the snowfall becoming heavier in places by late afternoon.

The wintry conditions, expected to work its way north eastwards across the region during the day as a weather front hits colder air lingering over the Midlands, were expected to cause travel chaos to people returning to work after Christmas.

MeteoGroup forecaster Tom Tobler said: “There could be several centimetres in places, enough to cause some problems.”

The Met Office also issued a flash warning to people living in parts of neighbouring Worcestershire to expect up to 10cm of snow.

Further flurries of sleet were predicted during tomorrow and early parts of New Year’s Eve.

The forecast follows a spell of snow, sleet and ice which has gripped the region for more than a week but relented in most parts over recent days. Forecasters have already warned that there will be freezing weather for the New Year.

Temperatures are expected to plunge to around minus 2C across greater Birmingham during the later part of New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Day will also be chilly, with the region struggling to get above freezing to 1C during the day.

See the five-day forecast here