SNOW is to blanket Swindon this week, according to the Met Office.

A Yellow weather warning has been issued with snow predicted to fall for 24 hours from the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Temperatures are even expected to fall as low as minus five on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Met Office advised: “There is the potential for travel delays on roads, with some stranded vehicles and passengers, as well as delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.

“Some rural communities could become cut off. Power cuts may also occur and other services, such as mobile phones, may be affected.”

Weather forecasters say there is “uncertainty” as to the extent of the snow, but there is the “potential” for 5-10 cm to fall.

Bus chiefs advised travellers to keep an eye on social media sites Twitter and Facebook for updates about changes to timetables this week. 

Nikki Honer, Thamesdown's head of communications, said: "Our services will run as normal whilst it is safe to do so. However, we will modify our routes if necessary - running along main lines and avoiding roads that are blocked or deemed unsafe.

"We will be closely monitoring the situation throughout the week and our team will post regular updates on Twitter and Facebook.

"The aim is to continue providing a comprehensive bus service for those living and working in and around Swindon - but it is too early to predict the severity of the weather.”