BLACK ice is causing rush-hour chaos across South Lakeland this morning.

Rain started falling on already frozen ground overnight, causing thick ice and treacherous conditions for both drivers and pedestrians.

Cumbria Police have responded to more than 60 accidents so far today and some schools have also been forced to close.

Wary motorists were seen turning their vehicles around and pedestrians trying to navigate their way along town centre footpaths.

Cumbria Police urged drivers to slow down, drive with extreme care and to delay journeys where possible.

A spokesman said the M6 and A684 are extremely hazardous and only passable with extreme care.

Cumbria County Council described the conditions as a 'perfect storm', which would last for 24 hours.

A spokesman said: "Cumbria County Council's gritting crews have been operating at full capacity overnight and this morning treating priority one and two routes and, where possible, non-priority roads and footways.

"Although air temperatures have risen above freezing in many places, ground temperatures remain below zero, causing the rain to freeze on the ground and create patches of black ice. Drivers and pedestrians can be lulled into thinking that the ground looks wet, when it is in fact icy.

"The gritting treatment is also less effective in rainy conditions as the salt can be washed away before managing to clear the ice.

"Cumbria's fleet of gritters have attempted to counter this by increasing the 'spread rate' of the rock salt and putting the maximum amount onto the roads."

But MP Tim Farron said on Facebook: "The lack of gritting on paths has made the South Lakes an ice-rink. I will again press the county council to act to grit local roads and paths. It has made it impossible to get anywhere!"

Across South Lakeland a number of schools have closed due to the dangerous conditions including.

Closed schools Windermere Junior School
Crosscrake Primary School
Dean Barwick Primary School
Grange Primary School
Flookburgh Primary School
St Patrick's Primary School, Endmoor
Lindale Primary School
St Thomas' Primary School, Kendal
Vicarage Park Primary School
Penny Bridge Primary School