Motorists faced blizzard conditions in Newcastle

Mark Young, 20, from Ariel Street in Ashington, hit a tree on a slope near York Close in Cramlington, Northumberland, on Sunday night.

Police say a woman was left with internal injuries after an accident at the same spot just a few hours earlier.

Signs were put up on Monday warning people about the danger of sledging.

Motorists across the region are being warned to take care after the snow left many roads in a treacherous condition.

The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for the North East, along with Yorkshire and Northern Ireland.

It said the snow showers would be heaviest to the east of the A1 at first, before extending westwards.

Newcastle's town moor was covered within minutes

Dozens of schools around the region were closed and a number of accidents were reported.

County Durham police said the coastline was bearing the brunt of the weather and in Teesside conditions were severe with Cleveland Police saying roads were passable with care.

Rob Nicholls, head of street services for Newcastle city council, said the city was on red alert.

The Highways Agency warned drivers to be extra vigilant and to delay journeys if bad weather persists.

Drivers were also advised to be prepared with a winter weather kit, including warm clothes, a hot drink, de-icer, a torch and a spade.

The late winter cold snap is blamed on high pressures over Scandinavia and northern Europe and low pressures to the west of the UK, which have caused temperatures to plunge.