THE Met Office has issued a flash weather warning for Dorset warning of widespread icy roads.

Yesterday's snow showers left roads and pavements wet and lower temperatures overnight mean a high risk of ice on the roads this morning.

The weather warning says: "With roads wet from recent melted snowfall there is the likelihood of icy stretches on untreated roads and pavements as temperatures fall below freezing this early evening, and continuing below freezing overnight.

Snow flurries are also forecast for across Dorset and Hampshire today.

Dorset County Council gritters were out throughout the night and Bournemouth's gritters were out and about from 4pm, hoping to avoid a repeat of last year's ice that made the A338 impassable.

A Bournemouth Council spokesperson said conditions would be monitored overnight and further action taken if necessary.

Borough of Poole principle engineer John Sayers said all priority roads were treated last night in anticipation of the freezing conditions. He added: "We would advise drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to take extra care when travelling on the highway, particularly on wet roads that can freeze over quickly in these conditions, and never assume the route you take has been gritted."

Temperatures were expected to drop to at least -2 overnight.

For updates on roads, schools and traffic overnight and tomorrow, go to bournemouthecho.co.uk/snow