Snow and severe weather conditions could hit much of the country

A record 1.8 million Britons were travelling abroad to escape the forecast snow and severe weather.

In the UK, drivers were warned to be wary in changeable conditions and as the roads become congested.

Meanwhile, Bookmakers William Hill had odds of 7-2 of Aberdeen being the place for a white Christmas.

The Highways Agency, which looks after motorways, said many road works had been suspended over the Christmas and New Year period to assist drivers.

It warned drivers to take care in the changeable winter conditions, including not trying to overtake gritters and snowploughs on half-cleared lanes.

Forecasters have predicted heavy snow and severe weather in much of the country at the weekend.

Roads packed

Snow and gale force winds are predicted as far south as East Anglia and the East Midlands on Sunday and Monday, prompting fears of traffic chaos.

AA estimated that as many as 18 million cars would be driven on the roads at some point over the holiday period.

Some roads such as the M25 could be packed, with 25% more traffic than normal, it said.

"The run-up to Christmas Eve and the New Year is always among the year's busiest times for traffic," said AA Roadwatch manager Graham Webb.

"Many of Britain's roads are so close to capacity on normal days that any increase in traffic results in delays."

Sunny option

The AA estimated that Friday, Christmas Eve and January 5, when many people will return to work, would be the busiest days for traffic.

The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) said the most popular winter sun destinations for those going abroad this Christmas were the Canary Islands and southern Spain.

For long-haul travellers, the most popular spots were Florida and the Caribbean, while for skiers the top destinations were France, Austria and Italy.