BOLTON braces itself for colder weather as the Met Office issues a yellow weather warning for snow and ice over the weekend.

Forecasters are predicting a band of heavy snow to hit the North West from around 3am on Saturday morning through to 9pm in the evening.

The snow could potentially lead to travel disruption, power cuts and leave untreated paths slippery.

Some areas will see sleet, rather than snow, forecasters have said.

The Met Office said: "An area of rain pushing eastwards is expected to turn snow in places as it encounters colder air across Scotland and parts of northern and eastern England.

"At first the main hazard may be rain falling onto frozen surfaces leading to ice, especially on higher level routes. However snow becomes more likely during the early morning.

"Heavier snowfall is more likely above 200m in Scotland and northern England, where 5-10cm of snow may accumulate, possibly 20cm on highest routes.

"At lower levels and further south, 2-5cm of snow may accumulate in places, but the situation is finely balanced, with the possibility that most lower-lying areas, especially in the east, will see rain or sleet rather than snow."