Police are urging drivers to take extra care across Cumbria today with numerous accidents already reported due to icy conditions.

There have been at least two separate collisions on the M6 between junctions 39 at Shap and 37 Kendal early this morning and motorists are urged to approach with care.

On the southbound carriageway between Tebay and Kendal a van was involved in a collision around 6.30am but police report traffic is coping well.

Other areas of concern are:

* M6: reports of heavy traffic due to accident on M6 northbound at J38 A685/B6260 (Tebay). It was confirmed that all lanes were reopen shortly before 8am.

* A592 Kirkstone Pass: Hazardous driving conditions due to snow between Troutbeck and Hartsop.

* A6: Hazardous driving conditions due to snow on A6 around Shap.

*A686: Hartside Pass, Alston. Hazardous driving conditions due to snow between Alston and Melmerby.

* Kendal: Hazardous driving conditions in Kendal due to black ice on Sedbergh Road near Sedbergh Drive.

Cold Fell Road, Hardknott Pass in Eskdale and Newlands Pass are also continue to be closed following last week's cold snap.

A statement from Cumbria Police, on Twitter, said: "Police are asking drivers to take care while travelling on the roads this morning due to icy conditions.

"Currently dealing with 2 incidents on the M6 at J38, with road conditions being a contributing factor. Road has NOT been closed due to these incidents."

The Met Office did issue an ice warning for a large part of Cumbria yesterday, valid until 11am today.

The county has been hit by hard frost and ice for much of the week with sub-zero temperatures recorded.

Overnight rain now adding to the cold weather has led to the yellow ice warning.

A Met Office spokesman said: "Ice will again form on some surfaces from late Wednesday afternoon, which will continue through the night and well into Thursday morning.

"In addition, wintry showers will spread from the west with some accumulations of snow, though mostly restricted to high ground.

"There will probably be icy stretches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths with some slippery surfaces likely."

The warning is in place for much of northern and central England, as well as Scotland and Nothern Ireland. It does not include the south west corner of Cumbria, however.