WINTER returned to Hampshire with a vengeance yesterday as unseasonal snow swept across the county.

Signs of spring were banished by the barmy weather which carpeted the county in a white blanket as temperatures plummeted to freezing.

Just last week the county experience the warmest day so far this year.

Many roads, including the M3 and M27, were hit by difficult driving conditions and the Met Office issued a number of flash warnings of severe or extreme weather.

Drivers were warned to take extra care on the roads, check for up-to-date information on weather and road conditions before they set off, and during their journey.

Hampshire Police advised motorists to stay at home unless their journey was vital.

Coastguards warned sailors not to take to the water unless they could navigate in poor visibility after rescuing two yachts and two motorboats lost in the Solent.

Yet many Hampshire residents were out enjoying the wintry weather.

Snow hungry skiers were taking advantage of every slope - even a graveless corner of Hedge End cemetery.

Children wrapped up warm to play in the snow and a few seized the opportunity to build some unseasonable snowmen.

Blizzard conditions left wintry postcard scenes across the New Forest which didn't go unmissed by photography enthusiasts.

Matt Dobson, from weather organisation the MeteoGroup, said up to 7.5 cm (three inches) of snow had settled in rural parts of central southern England and snow had reached as far as the Isle of Wight. However the snow cleared during the day to make way for sunny spells.

A Met Office spokesman said snow was not that unusual in April.

He said the last "decent widespread snow " to hit central southern England during the month was on April 5 1989 when 8 to 10 cm (up to four inches) fell.

Blizzard conditions - the worst since 1908 - swept across the south on April 22 1981 leaving 66cm (26 inches) of snow.

The spokesman said: "There will be more in the way of wintry showers and sunny spells in the next few days with temperatures recovering towards the end of the week.

"There could be more snow which could cause some problems with traffic but probably not as bad as yesterday.

"At this time of year the snow doesn't last very long."

The month started with spring-like conditions and temperatures soared to 18C (64F) on Thursday - the highest this year.

The Met Office warned last week that this summer is likely to be hotter and wetter than usual.

It is predicting a return to the traditional British summer of "three fine days and then a thunderstorm".