MOTORISTS have been warned to take extra care on Derbyshire's roads as more treacherous driving conditions are forecast for the next few days.

Snowfall yesterday morning caused rush-hour havoc in Derby and weather experts are predicting more sleet and icy conditions to come, as night-time temperatures plummet to around -3C.

Although forecasters say the county looks set to escape heavy snow, with the exception of high ground, the outlook for tomorrow is rain and sleet.

An AA spokeswoman said: "We would advise motorists to get up at least 10 minutes earlier to give them time to prepare the car.

"Don't drive off like a tank commander, with a tiny hole cleared in your windscreen. Clear all windows of snow and ice using a scraper and de-icer.

"Plan routes to favour major roads more likely to have been gritted and listen to local traffic news. When driving downhill, choose third or fourth gear to prevent skidding.

"Always apply brakes gently. Release them and de-clutch if the car skids. If you do get stuck, straighten the steering wheel and clear the snow from the wheels."

Up to 7cm of snow fell yesterday morning and the Met Office issued a severe weather warning for rush-hour traffic. It also caused problems for Derby's ice rink.

Chris Mullane, director of Creative Ice which runs the rink in the Market Place, said: "When snow falls on the ground some melts, but on ice it doesn't, so we had a tonne of snow to shift.

"We were out from 7.30am when we saw it snowing and we managed to reopen the rink four hours later."

Amateur weatherman Philip Singleton, of Chaddesden, said the cold spell was likely to continue for the rest of the week.

He said: "It looks like there might be rain or sleet on Thursday. The cold will continue for the rest of the week but I don't think there'll be heavy snow in the city.

"It might be a different story on the higher ground around Buxton, where there is likely to be more snow."

A Met Office spokesman agreed that some snow was likely on the higher ground.

Forecaster John Hammond said: "Temperatures will dip below freezing at night and won't reach much more than three degrees during the day."

Gritters went out across the county again at 6pm yesterday and 4am today.

A number of Derby County fans missed the kick-off of the Rams' Carling Cup quarter-final win against Stoke City last night because of the weather.

Icy conditions meant supporters were held up on the A50 and requests for the kick-off to be delayed were turned down by police and Stoke City.