Severe Snow weather sweeps across UK (Photos)

                               
A blast of freezing weather is sweeping across the UK, bringing disruption to evening travellers.
Large parts of the UK have already been hit by heavy snow, which has now to started to affect southern areas, with warnings of snow and ice during this evening's rush hour.
The army is helping evacuate thousands of people from England's east coast, where a tidal surge is expected.
Earlier, flights were pre-emptively cancelled at Heathrow and Gatwick.
The snow has now hit London's rush hour - here it can be seen falling near Tower Bridge.

Snow has been falling at Tower Bridge in London

                                          

The tidal surge is expected overnight on Thursday into Friday down the east coast of England, where it is thought waves could overtop the flood defences and combine with wind-blown spray to cause localised flooding.

In Lincolnshire, about 100 soldiers are helping to prepare for flooding and more than 3,000 residents on the coast have been advised to leave their homes or move upstairs.
Jaywick, Mistley, Manningtree, Colchester, and Mersea in Essex are also being evacuated amid flooding fears.
Essex County Council said its main concern was the tide at 13:00 on Friday.

In Lincolnshire, about 100 soldiers are helping to prepare for flooding

Stirling Castle in blizzard conditions

                                     

A postman in Braco, near Stirling, in blizzard conditions

People make their way through snow as a cold weather sweeps across much of the UK