TEMPERATURES are set to drop this week with icy winds bringing a risk of snow.

Forecasters have warned the mercury will plummet from Monday night as cold weather sweeps across the UK. The weather will also become increasingly wet as the week moves on.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "Rain across the far west on Tuesday will turn patchier as it reaches eastern areas by Wednesday.

"Heavier rain, stronger winds and the chance of hill snow by Thursday."

By the weekend, forecasters say that more snow is likely across higher regions in the county as colder air meets the wet weather.

A spokesman said: "Snow is more likely in over the hills in the north, but it may fall to lower levels in places too. The weather will be changeable and often cloudy, with showers and longer spells of rain at time.

"During the following week, eastern and southern areas may become drier for a time with more sunshine but clearer colder nights will lead to frost."

The main areas at risk of snow are northern England and Scotland.