Thousands were left without power across England and Wales while several airports closed runways as snow and freezing swept across the country on Sunday.

Stranded vehicles and collisions were left key roads in northern England closed while rail services had also been cancelled with two amber weather warnings issued by the Met Office.

A new yellow rain warning for southern England has also been issued on Sunday where milder temperatures bring a risk of flooding, with more than 20 flood warnings and more than 200 flood alerts in place.

Manchester and Liverpool John Lennon Airport closed their runways for several hours on Sunday morning due to heavy snow.

Leeds Bradford Airport confirmed shortly after 2.15pm that its runway had reopened but added some disruption was expected to continue throughout the day.

Birmingham Airport had suspended operations for several hours overnight “for snow clearing and safety reasons”, but said it was on schedule for “business as usual” on Sunday.

Bristol Airport reopened at about 11pm on Saturday but warned of ongoing delays because aircraft were out of position following flight cancellations.

The power cuts were reported in east Yorkshire, part of the Midlands, South-West England and Cornwall.

“Whatever the weather, we will work to restore power supplies quickly and safely for you,” the company said on its website.

National Rail said the line between Leeds and Halifax via Dewbury was closed in both directions, with disruption on northern routes expected into Monday.

Avanti West Coast trains running to and from Liverpool Lime Street were cancelled due to depot issues, with disruption expected until midday.

It comes after a weekend of extreme weather and disruption to travel across the UK as the cold start to the new year continues.

Two amber weather warnings were in force on Sunday with 3cm to 7cm of snowfall predicted in some areas of the country, mixing with rain at times in lower-lying areas.

The Met Office warned some rural communities could be cut off, with up to 40cm of snow on ground above 300m before conditions ease later on Sunday.

A yellow warning for snow was in place across the north east and east of the country as far south as Edinburgh, which is in place until midday on Monday.

It warns that more than 10cm could fall on ground above 200 metres in northern areas, while further south snowfall accumulation is likely to be “patchier” and generally between 1cm to 2cm.

Those living in rural communities said they have been ‘completely cut off’ after heavy snow descended on the north of England.

Nia Deo, 28, told The i Paper: “The snow in my Yorkshire village is so severe that all trains have been cancelled, leaving me completely cut off.

“I’ve had to trek through deep snow to a main road, where my grandad picked me up to get me to Leeds.”

The Met Office has also warned that melting ice around the UK may expedite flooding risks as heavy rainfall continues in southern England.

The Environment Agency had issued 22 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, across southern England and more than 200 flood alerts across the country on Sunday afternoon.

Yellow weather Warnings for snow, ice and rain come into force from midnight across much of the country – when the amber warnings expire.

Warnings for rain in Wales and central England are in place until 6am. The alerts are in place across southern England until 9am.

An ice warning covers Northern Irealand until 11am tomorrow.

Southeastern Scotland has a yellow warning in place until 12pm tomorrow, while north and eastern Scotland are told to expect snow and ice until 11am and England and north Wales until 12pm.