COMMUTERS are being warned to take extra care this morning after weather warnings were issued by the Met Office for most of Scotland.

Sleet and snow have been falling in parts of the country and are expected to continue through today, making driving conditions hazardous.

Forecasters were predicting one or two inches of snow at low levels and four to six inches on higher ground.

Temperatures were expected to drop below freezing, with rain turning to snow overnight.

The Met Office has issued "be prepared" amber warnings for Strathclyde, Lothian and Borders, Tayside, the Highlands, and the south-west.

Transport Minister Keith Brown, who chaired a multi-agency meeting yesterday, said: "We've already seen some wintry weather across much of Scotland and, while it is not as severe as this time last year, we cannot afford to be complacent, with some treacherous icy conditions forecast overnight.

"I will be in the control centre tonight and tomorrow to stay up to speed with preparations.

"With this weather set to continue, a fleet of gritters and winter patrols will be out throughout the night."

A group of 56 Yorkshire holidaymakers was rescued from the bison enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig, Inverness-shire, yesterday after a coach got stuck in snow.

Keepers kept animals away from the group while other staff brought vehicles to rescue elderly people who were unable to walk away.

Elsewhere, a jack-knifed lorry on the M8 caused disruption.

Central Police Assistant Chief Constable Allan Moffat, speaking for the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland, said: "I would encourage all drivers to listen to their local weather forecast and adjust their normal driving-to-work time according to the conditions they are faced with."

William Hill responded to the latest forecasts by cutting the odds of a white Christmas in Glasgow to 4/1.