Siberian blizzards slam Britain

(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Thousands of people in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales were still without power on Monday, after snow and high winds brought down electricity lines in some of the worst March weather in half a century, following blizzards which swept in from Siberia.

Snowdrifts of up to 5 metres (18 feet) were reported in Wales, but the weather service said the worst was likely over.

Early on Monday morning, between 3,000 and 4,000 homes were without power in the Llangollen area.

Fallen trees and road closures are hindering attempts to fix the problems.

Forecasters say it could be the first white Easter in five years, as the nation enters British Summertime.