Forecasters are warning that winter weather conditions are set to worsen as the district prepares to welcome in the New Year.

Bradford's emergency services are gearing up to deal with an expected surge in accidents and traffic chaos this weekend as more snow and freezing temperatures hit Bradford.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "It's going to be very cold with bright periods and wintry showers. There will be a lot of wintry showers, bringing heavy snow on New Year's Eve, before things start to get warmer after Sunday.''

The Met Office has warned that temperatures will fall to minus 2C tomorrow night and minus 1C on New Year's Eve in Bradford, leading to fears that Bradford's Centenary Square New Year celebrations will be hit. Further north, the temperature is expected to drop even lower, to minus 6C in Skipton on Sunday night.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire ambulance service said: "We've had a couple of calls from people who have fallen or slipped in the snow but nothing major yet.'' West Yorkshire Police said one road accident was caused by snow yesterday but no-one was injured. "We would urge motorists to take extra care and only make journeys where necessary,'' said a spokesman.

But schoolchildren were out making the most of the snow. Katherine McCain, seven, sister Gaynor, four, and cousin Amie Crompton, also seven, were enjoying throwing snowballs. Grandma Marie Crompton, 59, of Otley Road, Bradford, said: "The kids love the snow - they've been playing about in it all day.''

And seven-year-old Melekah Dacres, of Allerton, was having a smashing time. Mum Joanne said: "She was up first thing, playing in the snow. She's been throwing snowballs at me most of the morning!"

The Council's executive committee member for the environment, Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, said the Airedale trunk road to Keighley was one of the most treacherous roads in the district during snow.

She said: "There are now discussions about the responsibility for trunk roads - maintained by the Government - being passed on to councils. But we would need proper funding to continue delivering a Rolls Royce snow plan for the district."