TYNEDALE is set to be hit by freezing rain on Saturday after the Met Office issued an amber weather warning. 

Heavy freezing rain between 10am Saturday, December 15 and 6am Sunday, December 16 is expected to cause widespread ice on roads and pavements and cause serious disruption to travel.

Some sleet and snow is possible over the very highest ground and the freezing rain may also be followed by a spell of sleet and snow.

The freezing rain, sleet and snow will be accompanied by strong southeasterly winds which will pose an additional hazard to travel, in particular over high ground.

The Met Office warned that injuries from slips and falls and danger to life on icy surfaces are likely. 

Black ice may form quickly affecting bus and trains and dangerous driving conditions are likely to cause road traffic collisions, road closures and longer journey times

There's also a warning that pavements and cycle paths are likely to become instantly impassable because of the sudden formation of black ice.