Snow and sleet are causing hazardous driving conditions across Cumbria.

The M6 is badly affected between Penrith and Kirkby Lonsdale.

It comes as a 'severe' snow and ice warning is brought forward by the Met Office.

The motorway is down to two lanes between junctions 39 and 37.

One motorist reported it being "barely passable" in some parts.

Cumbria Police are also warning of hazardous conditions due to snow on the A6 around Shap Summit.

There are also problems on the A591 between Windermere Road (Plumgarth Roundabout) and the A590 (Brettargh Holt Roundabout).

Motorists are warned to take extra care as conditions are expected to worsen.

A 'severe' snow and ice warning for Cumbria has been brought forward and has come into effect.

The Met Office issued a yellow snow and ice alert yesterday that was due to come into effect about lunchtime today. However, conditions have worsened overnight and the warning was triggered at 1am.

A central band of Cumbria - covering Carlisle, Penrith and the county either side of the M6 - is included in the first warning.

The Met Office warn that "showers will turn increasingly to snow" and north west England may see 2cm to 4cm of snow above 200m.

"Ice will affect some untreated surfaces," a spokesman added.

That warning ceases at 12pm.

Another warning, covering the whole of Cumbria comes into force from then.