20:58

In Scotland soldiers were deployed on Thursday night to help transport about 200 NHS clinical and support staff needed to deliver critical care services in Edinburgh to and from Edinburgh royal infirmary and Western general hospital.

They said in a statement: “This will enable staff to change over their shifts while the amber weather warning remains for most of Scotland until 10am tomorrow.”

Health secretary Shona Robison said that the Scottish government was acting on a specific request from NHS Lothian.

My priority is the safety of staff and patients and the measures we have put in place will ensure these are protected during challenging circumstances. Many areas of Scotland continue to see very difficult and dangerous conditions – that is why the amber warning will remain in place overnight and tomorrow morning.

She went to urge the public to avoid travel if at all possible as the weather remained “potentially life-threatening”.