A lorry ended up on its side after skidding on ice in the Black Country – as the region was warned to prepare for another night of sub-zero temperatures and snow flurries.

Ring Road St Andrew’s in Wolverhampton was closed for 40 minutes, causing queues of traffic to back up around Chapel Ash island, after the lorry skidded out of control.

Snow pictures here.

The driver of the lorry, which was carrying machinery from Stoke, was cut free by firefighters after the accident at around 1.30pm yesterday.

Pc Rich Harris said the driver was taken to hospital with a hand injury, but was not badly hurt.

Drivers were today warned of more treacherous conditions, with temperatures expected to plummet to -5 (23F) in parts of the West Midlands tonight.

Five-day forecast here.

The region woke up to its first real snow of the winter today, and the Met Office said it would be covered with another dusting overnight.

Hundreds of pupils were today told to stay at home because of heating problems at schools, while the RAC recorded its busiest November day for a decade.

School closures and more news here.

Firefighters also revealed calls to floods caused by burst pipes had soared in the Arctic conditions.

Gritting teams have been out in force across the region and will hit the roads again tonight as Met Office bosses predict more snow is on its way.

Dudley Council spokeswoman Kate Arnold said: “Teams have been clearing entrances in and around schools and also paths in the town centres.

“The gritting teams will monitor the situation throughout the day.”

Nine of Wolverhampton’s 10 vehicles went out overnight to spread 182 tons of salt over the streets.

The Met Office warned that plummeting temperatures would freeze any falling snow, and make driving conditions treacherous.