SECTIONS of sea froze over as the cold snap kept its grip on Dorset.

Temperatures were locked below zero as the county remained frozen and at risk of snow.

Parts of the Fleet at Ferrybridge in Weymouth froze over and sporting fixtures were cancelled over the weekend.

There were flurries of snow overnight on Saturday, with heavier falls in West Dorset rather than in Weymouth and Portland.

Bob Poots, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council weatherman, said: “It has been the coldest period for a long time.

“It is the coldest that I can remember in the 12 years that I have been doing this job.”

Mr Poots said every ground temperature that he has measured so far this year has been below zero, with the lowest hitting –8.6 C overnight on January 4 and 5.

The air temperature has been below zero on five days out of the first 10 of the month – reaching a low of –4.5 overnight on January 7 to 8.

But Mr Poots said that the there already been 45 hours of sunshine over the first nine days of the month – compared with the average of 62 for January.

Ice is expected to remain on all untreated roads and pavements.

The Met Office forecasted better weather for Dorset today, although it says that it will get colder tomorrow and Wednesday, with more risk of snow.

Councillor Geoffrey Brierley, Dorset County Council’s cabinet member for strategic planning and transportation, said the authority had enough grit.

“We have something like 2,500 tonnes left of grit, plus another 2,000 tonnes which we bought from Northern Ireland which arrived in Bristol on Friday.

“We have no problems at all and have been lending salt to the Highways Agency and Bournemouth Council and we are going to lend some salt to Hampshire.”

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service has urged people to take extra care when using electric heaters, blankets, candles and open fires.

It follows two serious property fires in Abbotsbury and Salway Ash, Bridport, where the cause was believed to relate to the cold weather. No-one was seriously hurt in these incidents but the fire service would like all residents to check they have working smoke alarms in properties.

Deputy chief fire officer Nigel Williams said: “The colder weather we are experiencing will obviously cause more hazards.

“We are reminding the public just to take a few extra precautions to keep safe.”

Anyone using electric blankets and heaters is asked to keep them away from any furniture and sit at least 3ft away. Other advice is to make sure electric blankets and heaters are switched off when they are not being used and regularly maintained and tested every three years – if not replaced.