Snap cold spell to hit at weekend

A spell of freezing weather is due to hit France on Friday after several days of mild temperatures.

Météo France predicts snow falls in the Rhône-Alpes and northern Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur on Friday morning, spreading towards the east and centre of France over the weekend.

Motorists are warned to be prepared for if travelling to and from the mountains.

Thousands are expected on the roads during the school holiday weekend and many drivers are unprepared for snowy weather, taking no snow chains or not using snow tyres.

At the end of last year, 15,000 people spent the night in emergency accommodation after cars became blocked on the roads when heavy snow struck Savoie.