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Initials DD/V/MGT/PB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: RIVERS OF ICE - THAT'S HOW MANY OF BRITAIN'S ROADS APPEARED TODAY (TUESDAY) AS BITING EASTERLY WINDS AND FRESH SNOWFALLS USHERED IN THE NEW YEAR.SNOW AND ICE LEFT OVER WEEKEND'S "SIBERIAN SUNDAY" BLIZZARDS RECEIVED MORE TREACHEROUS.

IN NORTH-WEST LONDON A FIVE TON LORRY CARRYING A LOAD OF NINE TONS OF COKE FOR THE LONDON ELECTRICITY BOARD SKIDDED ON THE ICE AND OVERTURNED CAUSING CHAOS ON ONE OF THE MAIN TRAFFIC ARTERIES TO THE WEST AND NORTH-WEST.IT WAS A SCENE TO BE REPEATED IN MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT WAS BROUGHT UP TO PULL THE LORRY ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.

AS TODAY'S SNOWFALLS ADDED TO THE WEEKEND BLIZZARDS - THE WORST IN BRITAIN FOR 15 YEARS - SO THE WEATHERMAN SAID THERE WAS NO SIGN OF A THAW.THEIR OPINION WAS BACKED UP BY THOSE OTHER RELIABLE FORECASTERS OF ROUGH WEATHER - SEAGULLS.DRIVEN INLAND BY THE COLD WINDS AND GALES THEY FOUND LONDONERS READY TO HELP OUT WITH FOOD SCRAPS ALONG THE BANKS OF THE RIVER THAMES.

IN RICHMOND PARK THE FAMOUS HERD OF DEER SOUGHT REFUGE AMONG THE TREES.AND CLOSE AT HAND WERE THE PARK RANGERS READY TO HELP ANY ANIMALS IN DIFFICULTY.

ELSEWHERE IN BRITAIN SHEEP AND CATTLE ON ISOLATED FARMS FARED BADLY.SO FAR SOME 2,000 ANIMALS ARE REPORTED TO HAVE DIED IN SNOW DRIFTS.TOWNS AND MANY VILLAGES REMAIN CUT OFF AND IN SEVERAL PLACES TROOPS HAVE BEEN CALLED OUT TO CARRY ESSENTIAL FOOD SUPPLIES.

HOWEVER ONE MOTORIST ABANDONED HIS CAR IN GOOD HUMOUR - LEAVING BEHIND A "HAPPY NEW YEAR" MESSAGE IN SNOW.