Heavy snow blanketed much of the UK this morning and brought fresh woe for air passengers, forcing the cancellation of a further 50 flights from Heathrow's Terminal 5.

A smaller than expected number of spectators lined the route that the Olympic torch was to take through London this morning amid icy wind and flurries of snow flakes.

Many roads were affected by the difficult conditions as up to three inches settled in the Midlands and central southern England.

The Met Office issued a number of flash warnings of severe or extreme weather. Forecasters said that while the worst of the heavy snow will clear away during today, more wintry showers are on the way.

A BA spokeswoman said that as well as the 12 shorthaul flights cancelled from T5 due to the ongoing difficulties with the baggage handling system, a further 50 flights - 25 in and 25 out - had been cancelled as both runways were temporarily shut due to snow.

Air Traffic Control imposed restrictions on the number of aircraft that could take off and land per hour as each runway was closed for de-icing, one after the other for 20 minutes each.

A BAA spokeswoman said that 12-mile spacings between planes were imposed while de-icing was in progress, rather than the normal three miles when both runways are in use and visibility is good.

She added: “Airlines are now having to de-ice their planes too.”

The job was completed by 7.30am, the spokeswoman added, and the runways were fully operational again by 9.20am.

The wintry weather set in overnight, as snow descended on the North East, Manchester and north Wales and headed south in the early hours through the Midlands. This morning many awoke to snow in East Anglia and the South.

Matt Dobson, from MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said that the heaviest snow was from London westwards into Berkshire and Oxfordshire and as far south as the Isle of Wight. Temperatures stood at freezing or just below in the snow-bound areas, he said.

“When the sun comes out in London it could get up to 7C, but it will be very cold for April everywhere at 3-6C. The average for this time of year is generally 10C or 11C,” he said.

Mr Dobson, who said up to three inches of snow had settled in rural parts of Central Southern England, added that roads in that area and the South Midlands were affected.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said Bicester, Aylesbury and Oxfordshire had all seen heavy snowfall, with several reports of cars struggling to continue their journeys and minor accidents because of the weather.

Meanwhile, a car rolled on to its side on the M25 near St Albans during a heavy snow flurry this morning, Hertfordshire Police said.

The accident, involving a silver Peugeot, happened at 7.25am today between Junctions 23 and 22, between St Albans and Potters Bar, on the M25 anti-clockwise and the only occupant, a woman, received minor injuries.

Cheshire Police said the M56 between junctions 10 and 11 near Warrington was closed in both directions because of sheet ice, and that a number of crashes took place as a result of treacherous driving conditions earlier.

Today’s heavy snowfall is one of three separate areas of wintry weather. Mr Dobson said another band of heavy hail, sleet and snow today affected Wales and South West England from North Wales down to Devon and Cornwall.

But the third area, where a band of sleet and snow was moving into central Scotland this morning, is the one to watch for the rest of the day, he said.

While the morning’s snow over London and the South East will clear away into France and the bad weather in Wales and the South West will ease, the bitter conditions in Scotland will become more widespread.

Mr Dobson said: “Wintry showers, of hail, sleet and snow, will start to move south across England and Wales during the day.”

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