Spring disappears as cold snap and snow hits Britain

Britain's balmy Spring weather disappeared on day one of the cricket season, as snow replaced sunshine in parts of the UK. Social media was awash with images and videos as people awoke to a dusting of the white stuff across the West Midlands, parts of Wales and south Lincolnshire.

"It is very isolated and really it is confined mainly to high ground – but where the showers linger for a time we could see snow showers down to lower levels," said Chris Page, from the Met Office.

"At this time of year the strength of the sun is quite strong so the snow is not really that likely to hang around," he added.

It was a marked difference to temperatures of 18C Britain experienced earlier this week. Page said a combination of northerly airflow and April showers has caused the weather change, but said it is not that unusual to see "a dusting" at this time of year.

Temperatures are expected to remain low on Sunday, 17 April, with a sharp frost early on, although they are expected to improve over the day.

With snow falling across parts of the UK, bookmakers Ladbrokes have trimmed the odds to 6/4 that the thermometer drops to -10C this weekend, while it's a 9/2 shot April secures itself as the coldest month if -15C or lower is reached.

Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said: "The odds are falling as quick as the snow. April's been a bonkers month and it could still get worse yet."

However, athletes preparing for the Great Edinburgh Run that will take place on 17 April and will follow a 10-mile route past some of the city's most iconic sights, are likely to be happy with the cooler temperatures although April has been the driest month in Edinburgh as shown by records from 1981-2010.

The first wave of runners will start at 9.30am, with two subsequent waves starting 10 minutes apart.