Snow has been battering the north of Scotland as a prolonged blast of wintry weather tightened its grip.

It is the earliest November snowfall for 17 years. Forecasters are warning of snowfall reaching up to ten inches over higher ground by Saturday.

Aberdeenshire saw the UK's heaviest snowfall yesterday, with six inches falling in places. Just under five inches fell in the Scottish Borders.

Aberdeenshire Council said 91 schools in the area are closed or partially closed because of snow, while others have been affected by transport routes being closed or changed. Latest information here.

Police said all roads in the Grampian region had snow and ice, and roads which were closed included the A93 at Glenshee, the A939 to Ballater where drifting snow at Corgarff closed the road, and the A957 Crathes to Stonehaven, at the Slug Road, which had hard-packed snow.

Motorists across Scotland are being warned of black ice on the roads.

In icy conditions last night, a plane with 196 passengers overshot its landing position at Newcastle airport. No-one on board the Thomsonfly Boeing 737-800 from Lanzarote was injured, but the airport was closed for a time after the incident.

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IN DETAIL

• GALLERY: Wintry weather