GRITTING and snow plough crews were on full alert tonight as Oxfordshire prepares for a predicted snow storm.

Gritters were out in force across the county this evening and snow ploughs are ready ahead of the morning rush hour with up to six inches of snow predicted to fall.

A county council spokesman said tonight that the latest forecast predicted snow starting to fall at about 3am.

The Met Office says there is a 70 per cent chance of snow settling on the ground after it begins to fall - and it is expected to continue falling until 9am tomorrow.

It predicts at least two inches of snow will fall across the southern part of England, but said there was a reasonable chance the depth could reach six inches.

Met Office forecaster Wayne Elliot said: "Oxfordshire is pretty much in the centre of the area where the snow will hit worst.

"It is notoriously difficult to forecast snow, but we are fairly confident that there will be a significant snowfall across the south.

"We expect Oxfordshire to see two to five centimetres, but it is not out of the question that it could see ten to 15 centimetres."

The snow is expected to continue falling for about six hours - until 9am - and could disrupt early morning traffic. Schools could also be affected.

Temperatures are expected to fall to -2C otonight and Oxfordshire County Council gritters were out gritting the major roads across the county from 7pm tonight.

Mr Elliot added: "The period of snow could cause disruption to travel networks, especially across high level routes and the fact that the timing of this event will coincide with the morning rush-hour."

Members of the public are being warned to regularly keep up to date with the latest forecasts by logging on to the Met Office website at www.metoffice.gov.uk