Traffic is flowing surprisingly smoothly on many of Britain's roads, on one of the traditionally busiest travel days of the year.

There are also no major hitches at Britain's airports and railway stations.

Traffic analysts put the unusually uneventful Christmas Eve down to a staggered getaway this year.

Motoring groups warned people to be aware of the "usual hotspots" around major cities, but driving conditions were said to be good.

But there was a serious accident in Cheshire, which claimed the lives of two men and a woman.

AA travel collator Alan Joyce said: "We didn't have a rush hour to speak of this morning or Monday.

"It looks like people have taken both days off and made their journeys on Friday, Saturday and Sunday - it was very busy over the weekend.

We're well rehearsed for this time of the year and it's all under control. Heathrow Airport

"Because Christmas is mid-week, people had several days to pick from."

The only busy roads are around city centres as people picked up last minute shopping, although most city centres still have parking spaces.

Airports around the UK continue to be busy but there were few delays and everything seemed to be moving smoothly.

At Heathrow in the south, 100,000 people were expected to fly away on Christmas Eve.

Airport spokeswoman Lisa Kavanagh said: "We're well rehearsed for this time of the year and it's all under control.

"It was very busy at the weekend but it's quietening down now."

Wet Christmas

Aberdeen Airport had to close on Tuesday morning after a light aircraft crashed and struck a car shortly after take-off from the city airport en route to Denmark.

There are no reported problems on the trains, although the Association of Train Operating Companies advised passengers not to travel without seat reservations over the festive season.

Improved weather conditions have helped smooth the drive home.

The fog which hampered driving conditions and flights at the weekend has cleared and flood warnings have all but lifted.

The chances of a White Christmas in the UK, however, are said to be "very slim."

Temperatures are expected to reach 13C on Christmas Day.

Around 13 million cars are likely to be on the roads over the Christmas period and motoring organisations predict the return to work will be as trouble-free as the getaway.