Temperatures could fall to as low as -5C in Norfolk this weekend as autumn's first widespread frost hits the UK.

The Met Office has warned that rural areas in the east could see the mercury fall well below zero with even the possibility of snow falling early next week as temperatures drop further.

While a cold front lingers mostly around Wales and the northeast, forecasts show it moving steadily toward Norfolk tonight and tomorrow, bringing icy showers and freezing conditions. 

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Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said temperatures could drop to -5C or even -7C in some parts. 

She said: "There will be a crisp but sunny start to the weekend for many areas and it will still be a little cloudy across the east coast.

"Showers will come and go across parts of Norfolk as well as northern Scotland."

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris said: “Early next week, following a more unsettled interlude, we expect to see a return to widely cold but quiet conditions.

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"Some rain, or showers, are likely to affect some parts of the east coast, and these could turn increasingly wintry over higher ground areas towards the middle of the week."

He added: "It does look as though there will be a trend towards something more unsettled, as areas of cloud and rain attempt to move across the UK.

"Beyond midweek, there is a chance that a more active weather system arrives which would bring more widespread rain, stronger winds and the potential for more significant snowfall should the air over the UK become sufficiently cold ahead of it."