FORECASTERS have issued a severe weather warning for ice across Wirral and are urging residents to stay safe.

The original weather warning, released earlier this week, suggested that Merseyside would not be hit by snow and gales however today (Friday), forecasters have predicted otherwise.

Between 9am on Saturday, December 15 and 9am on Sunday, December 16, forecasters have issued periods of freezing rain which may lead to dangerous travelling conditions.

The Met Office are warning of possible travel delays, cancellations to rail and air travel and power cuts.

They are also urging people to look out for untreated pavements and cycle paths due to black ice.

In a statement they said: "Freezing rain is expected to develop during Saturday, lasting into the early hours of Sunday.

"This may result in the formation of ice on roads, pavements, trees and other structures.

"Freezing rain is rare in the United Kingdom, but when it does occur impacts can be severe.

"This is due to the fact that it can form very quickly, it can be difficult to see, and is incredibly slippery.

"Freezing rain is likely to change to snow before it dies out across parts of Scotland, bringing some accumulations of 2 to 5 cm.

"The freezing rain and snow will be accompanied by strong southeasterly winds which will pose an additional hazard to travel, in particular over high ground."

Temperatures on Friday night will get as low as -3 degrees across much of the country and in the daytime they are not expected to rise much above 2 degrees, the forecaster predicted.

The Met Office's chief meteorologist Steve Willington said: "This weekend's weather brings a range of winter hazards, with the possibility of heavy snow and blizzards in parts of Scotland and freezing rain for northern parts of the UK.

"As such, there is the potential for disruption to travel on the roads and possible delays or cancellations to public transport services, so we encourage people to keep an eye on the latest weather forecast warnings and to take care when travelling.

"At the moment, the heaviest snow is expected over higher ground in Scotland with the chance of drifting snow due to strong winds.

"Snow is also expected to settle at lower levels in Scotland and parts of northern England, with the risk of freezing rain and ice on Saturday night."