Storm Darcy: Swimmers brave a dip in sea at Thorpe Bay

The group were spotted enjoying the water for their daily exercise at Thorpe Bay this morning.

They also made snow angels while making the most of the white stuff.

The Met Office has yellow warnings for snow and ice current for the eastern half of Great Britain, advising of likely longer journey times by road, bus and rail, and cautioning people to be wary of slipping on ice.

While snowfalls for most of Britain are expected to ease on Tuesday, snow showers in many northern and eastern parts of Britain are forecast, reaching depths of 15cm (6 inches) in places.

For south Essex temperatures are unlikely to get above 0C today.

Swimmers (left to right) Sallyann Manthorp, Peta Hunter and Victoria Carlin make angels in the snow. Picture: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

The Met Office forecast saidL "Remaining very cold with occasional snow showers, but some bright spells in-between.

Read more:

• Mobile Covid testing sites closed across Essex amid poor weather
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Early morning swimmers Sallyann Manthorp and Peta Hunter walk out of the water onto a snow covered beach. Picture: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

"Icy stretches remain possible with bitterly cold, fresh easterly winds - strongest near coasts. Accumulations of snow may give further disruption with drifting snow. Maximum temperature 0 °C."

Any tonight temperatures could drop to -3C.

Swimmer Victoria Carlin plays with the snow at the beach in Thorpe Bay. Picture: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

The forecast added: "Most parts will continue to see snow showers at times, with drier conditions further south.

"Some clear spells. Brisk northeasterly winds will remain strong near coasts. Minimum temperature -3 °C."

Early morning swimmers Victoria Carlin, Sallyann Manthorp and Peta Hunter, take a dip in the water, which is 1.4 degrees centigrade. Picture: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

Storm Darcy has brought havoc to many parts of the country, with police in parts of Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex on Monday advising against driving as roads became “impassable” due to settled snow.

Swimmer Peta Hunter takes an early morning dip at Thorpe Bay. Picture: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

Several Covid-19 vaccination centres were forced to close, including Clacton Hospital, Colchester United’s stadium, Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich and Chevington Close in Bury St Edmunds, and a number of schools were closed across the south-east of England and Lincolnshire.