Parts of Dorset remain on flood alert after a bout of wild weather – but as temperatures plunge there's now a warning about snow and ice.

Warnings of snow and ice for Dorset were in place yesterday and also overnight into today. There are further warnings for similar conditions tomorrow and into New Year's Eve.

Minimum temperatures will be down to 0 degrees while Thursday will be even chillier.

Drivers are urged to take extra care on the roads as standing water freezes and pedestrians should also be wary as there are likely to be icy pavements.

Public transport is likely to be affected and there is a possibility of power cuts.

It comes after Storm Bella whipped through on Saturday night into Sunday bringing gusts of up to 80mph.

Trees were uprooted and roads and railway lines blocked or flooded.

Meanwhile, gardens were trashed as furniture and ornaments were blown around, shed doors were ripped off and tiles were blown off roofs.

Dorset Council said its on-call teams had been out since 2am on Sunday clearing roads of fallen trees and debris.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said its crews had a very busy night and there had been a 'massive' amount of calls to the control room. Incidents included a fallen tree which went through the roof of a house in Corfe Mullen, near Poole. Occupants of the property were taken to safety.

Elsewhere, teams responded to reports of 'damaged property and dangerous structures' as a result of the storm.

Flood warnings remained in place yesterday with the Wareham area in particular on standby as the Environment Agency warned “immediate action" was required due to rising river levels.

A warning on the agency’s website said yesterday: “We believe there is a possibility of flooding for areas in East Stoke, Holmebridge, Stoborough, Stoborough Green, Wareham, Redcliffe, Ridge and Swineham.

“Further showery rainfall is forecast over the next 24 hours. River levels can rise very quickly in response to heavy rainfall. We are closely monitoring the situation.”