THE Met Office has upgraded its weather warning for snow and ice in Surrey and Hampshire this weekend to ’amber’ - urging people to "be prepared" for icy surfaces and travel delays.

Snow showers are expected to become more frequent through Saturday evening and night with icy patches also developing on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.

Travel delays on roads are "likely", says the Met Office, stranding some vehicles and passengers, while some delays and cancellations to rail and air travel are also expected. Injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces are also possible.

The Met Office Chief Forecaster said: "Snow accumulations will be variable across the area as showers are expected to organise into bands.

"Whilst some areas will receive relatively small amounts of snow, narrow bands of 5cm to 10 cm of snow are likely.

"Strong easterly winds will result in some drifting of lying snow, and lead to a significant wind chill. Showers are expected to become more isolated through Sunday morning."