IT came a few days late to make for a white Christmas, but the sprinkling of snow in Swindon at the weekend was enough to keep the children happy.

Six-year-old Alice Davies was one of those enjoying the wintery surroundings of Lydiard Park on Saturday, but the slight covering of snow had disappeared by the end of the day.

Forecasters are now predicting a bitingly cold start to the New Year, but the Met Office claims the chances of more snow in Swindon are very slight.

Kevin Hogg, a forecaster at the Cardiff weather centre, said: "There have been heavy snowfalls predicted for some parts of the country, but Swindon is unlikely to see much, if at all.

"It is going to remain very cold and dry over the next few days, with a high chance of nasty frosts, so we would advise drivers to be very careful."