A motorway accident added to delays caused by the weather

Five children have been injured after being hit by a car during heavy snow in County Antrim.

The car veered into their path on the Feumore Road in Upper Ballinderry, near Lisburn, as the children, aged between 11 and 17, were waiting for a school bus.

Police brought two children with head injuries to an ambulance, and they were later transferred to the Lagan Valley Hospital. They have since been discharged.

Three others, who suffered minor cuts and bruises, were treated by a local doctor at the scene.

The accident happened at about about 0830 GMT on Thursday.

Heavy overnight snow led to treacherous driving conditions and the closure of a large number of schools across Northern Ireland.

Drivers were advised to exercise extreme caution, particularly on secondary roads which may not have been treated.

The Met Office issued a severe weather warning and the cold conditions are set to continue for the next few days, although fewer snow showers are expected.

Snow depths varied from one inch to six inches.

Forecasters said freezing conditions on Thursday night could lead to further problems for drivers.

We put down salt at about three times our normal rate David Orr Roads Service Northern Ireland weather forecast

People were advised to avoid Mountain Road between Coleraine and Limavady as a lorry has broken down, while the Glenshane Pass was also badly affected.

Heavy snow was also reported on the M1 motorway near Lisburn.

Translink said that bus and rail passengers could expect delays of 10 to 15 minutes on all services.

David Orr, director of the Roads Service, said the snow was continuing to cause problems.

"Our gritters were out last night, gritting the 4,300 miles on our normal salting schedule," he said.

"We put down salt at about three times our normal rate.

"We were out again this morning, when the snow started to fall."

In Coleraine, the snow caused filming of BBC series Silent Witness to be suspended to ensure continuity.