The warning is in place from 12pm today, Wednesday, January 18, until 12pm tomorrow, Thursday, January 19.

It covers all parts of East Lancashire and most areas of wider Lancashire, excluding Blackpool.

The national weather services has also warned of possible snow flurries in parts of the north west and say the icy conditions could bring travel disruption.

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for ice and snow that covers Lancashire (Image: Met Office)

There may also be some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces. There might be some icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.

On Thursday, light snow showers are forecast in Blackburn with Darwen, with cloud and sunshine forecast in other East Lancashire towns.

Temperatures are set to remain low and are expected to drop to -3°C towards the end of the working week before turning warmer at the weekend.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “Thursday will be mostly cloudy for a time with wintry showers, although tending to become drier and brighter through the day. Chilly, and a little breezy at times.

“Friday will be dry and sunny after a frosty start.

“Towards the weekend it will turn cloudier with some patchy rain, and temperatures recovering slowly thanks to a southerly wind.”

Forecast for Blackburn with Darwen

• Wednesday, January 18: Yellow weather warning for ice and snow. Highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C.
• Thursday, January 19: Yellow weather warning for ice and snow. Snow showers expected between 5am and 8am. Highs of 3°C and lows of -1°C.
• Friday, January 20: Clear changing to partly cloudy. Highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C.
• Saturday, January 21: Cloudy changing to sunny intervals by midday. Highs of 4°C and lows of 1°C.
• Sunday, January 22: Overcast. Highs of 6°C and lows of 4°C.