NEARLY two inches of snow is expected tonight on the high fells of the Lake District and northern Pennines, the Met Office has said.

Forecasters have issued a yellow warning of snow valid from 5pm until midnight which means the public are encouraged to 'be aware'.

The weather front is expected to be caused by an area of 'organised showers' moving south across northern England into Cumbria and the northwest during tonight and then meeting cold air.

The showers are expected to fall as sleet, snow and hail on high ground, before turning to rain within a few hours.

The Met Office says temporary accumulations of two to five cm of snow (around two inches) are possible over the course of two to three hours above 300 to 400 metres (between 980ft-1300ft).

It suggests the public should be aware of the possibility of difficult driving conditions and some minor travel disruption on higher Pennine routes.

However, warmer air is expected to follow close behind which means any falling snow will turn to rain and any accumulations will melt quickly, according to the forecast.