Image copyright PA Image caption Sheep in a snow-covered field in Derbyshire, following England's coldest night of the year

The lowest temperatures of 2014 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland were recorded overnight.

Katesbridge, County Down, hit -8.8C (16.2F). Benson, Oxon, fell to -7.6C with -6.7C at Pembrey Sands, Dyfed.

Latest figures show the UK's coldest temperature of the year so far was -9C in Cromdale, Moray, on Saturday.

Meanwhile a Met Office cold weather alert for northern England and the Midlands has warned of health risks for vulnerable people.

BBC Weather said Scotland saw temperatures fall to -7.7C in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, overnight from Sunday to Monday.

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Benson had also previously held the record for the lowest temperature of the year in England when it reached -6.8C on 6 December.

Wales' lowest temperature of the year was recorded in Pembrey Sands, south Wales.

BBC Weather's Peter Sloss said the cold temperatures mean it is already colder now than it was during "a good chunk of last winter", from January to March.

Sunshine on Monday was expected to raise temperatures during the day, he added.

Image copyright PA Image caption Walkers braved the cold in Richmond Park, south west London, on Monday

Image copyright PA Image caption Ice formed in the Trafalgar Square fountains in central London

Image copyright PA Image caption Snow also covered hills around Macclesfield over the weekend

The record lows come as parts of the UK have already been hit by sub-zero temperatures and forecasters warned of further plunging temperatures over the next three days.

A sharp frost is expected in some areas of England and Wales on Monday night, with the UK experiencing similar temperatures to those seen on Sunday night, BBC Weather said.

The Met Office alert remains in place until 12:00 GMT on Wednesday.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption How long will the big freeze last?

The amber - level three - alert is one below a national emergency and indicates social and healthcare services should target "high-risk" groups, such as the very young or old, or those with chronic diseases.

A yellow - level two - alert is in place in the rest of England indicating social and healthcare services should be working to ensure they are ready for a period of cold weather.

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Image copyright AA Image caption The AA tweeted a picture of gridlock in Sheffield on Saturday