Anglia Weather Warning

Drivers stranded in the severe weather conditions are being urged to call police on 101 or 999 if they feel in danger.

It comes after several people had to be rescued after becoming stranded in snowdrifts caused by strong windows in areas across the county.

Police and volunteers have gone to the aid of several motorists stranded in the treacherous conditions.

Police say drivers should only travel if absolutely necessary and anyone intending on travelling is urged to plan ahead and tell others about their journey plans.

Since midnight, police have received:

• 150 calls relating to highway obstructions
• 19 damage only RTCs
• Three injury RTCs

Police have issued the following points for drivers who do have to travel.

• Plan ahead – check you route on a planner to see the latest traffic updates
• Tell friends or family about your travel plans – inc route – and let them know when you’ve arrived
• Make sure you vehicle is clear of snow/ice, has sufficient fuel and screenwash
• Allow plenty of time for your journey
• Travel at a low speed avoiding sudden braking/steering moves
• Keep a sensible distance between you and the car in front
• Use headlights – do not rely solely on daytime running lights
• If visibility falls below 100m use your fog lights
• Take provisions (blanket, warm clothing, food/water)
• Charge your phone before setting off
• If you get stuck in the snow stay with your car, but in an emergency if you do need to leave it, park it out of the main traffic route, where it won't cause an obstruction when conditions ease. Leave a contact number on the inside of the windscreen and return to your car at the first opportunity you have.

Bitterly cold winds, drifting snow and icy roads combined to create hazardous conditions across the region today.

Roads and rail have been affected, with skidding vehicles and train cancellations. Many workers struggled to travel and again, hundreds of our schools were closed.

Click below to watch our report from Natalie Gray

With the battle for best 'Beast of the East' snowman raging - architects in Norfolk have taken things a step further.

LSI Architects decided to put their construction skills to use in the freezing temperatures - and built a scale model of Norwich Castle.

But then things got a bit competitive.

After checking out the snow castle, fellow Norwich firm Chaplin Farrant decided to raise the bar even further.

Its architects and engineers spent their lunchtime constructing a full scale model of Norwich Cathedral - complete with its own icicle spire.

Many villages in Suffolk and Norfolk remain shut off.

Rural areas are the worst affected with the wind blowing snow drifts across open countryside and across roads.

Our reporter Tanya Mercer lives in the countryside north of Bury St Edmunds and attempted to reach the A14.

Here's a video diary of how she got on.

People in the village of Aldborough near Cromer are used to being snowed in.

In 1987 they were cut off for a week by 10 foot snow drifts.

Our reporter Natalie Gray lives there now - and has sent us this report on how they're coping in the current cold snap.

The runway at Norwich airport has been forced to close, because of the extreme weather conditions.

Staff will be clearing and de-icing the runway this morning and will update passengers at 8.30am as to whether or not it is safe to use.

Customers are advised to contact their airline directly with any queries regarding individual flights and public transport options to and from the airport are extremely limited.

• Video report by ITV News Anglia's Andy Ward

The Beast from the East has caused all manner of problems - but the white stuff has also provided plenty of entertainment too!

We've been looking at the brighter side of the wintry weather.

The Beast from the East has battered our region with up to 30cm of snow and what could be the coldest spell for more than two decades.

On the roads there have been a number of crashes, closures and commuter misery with people struggling to get to work

There have been more than a thousand school closures, with Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex the worst hit - and many taking full advantage of a break from lessons.

Our stretched emergency services have reported a spike in calls and a warning that there could be even worse to come.

Click below for Kate Prout's report