THE North East will see temperatures plummet to -9 degrees this week, the lowest recorded this winter.

A spokesman for the Met Office said snowfall was reaching the same levels seen over 2009/10, the coldest winter in 30 years.

Snow would halt at the weekend only to be replaced by gales and heavy rain, he said.

Supporters volunteered to clear the Newcastle Falcon’s Kingston Park Rugby pitch yesterday so a planned game on Friday would not have to be called off.

“It just shows the support behind the team and how ready people are to get involved,” said Stewart McCullough, who works in the club’s office.

Dozens of offenders on Newcastle’s community payback programme also gave residents a helping hand yesterday with clearing the streets.

But for people in some rural areas of Northumberland, no amount of shoveling or grit could clear their roads.

Mark Robson, 35, from Shilbottle near Alnwick, has been snowed in since Saturday morning.

He said: “We got about a foot on Friday night and Saturday morning, and it’s just carried on snowing and more has been lying on top of that.

“The council has been gritting and clearing the main roads and bus routes, but it’s the side streets and smaller roads that are just completely blocked.”

Runners taking part in the Spine Race, which involves running the length of the Pennine Way in five days, were also caught out by the snow in Northumberland and had to spend a night in refuge huts on Friday.

Three contestants were forced to shelter in huts built on the border ridge.

Cold temperatures affecting the lifting mechanism of waste collection vehicles is causing delays on bin rounds in North Tyneside.

North Tyneside Council said snow and ice was also making access difficult in some streets.

Homes with a collection day yesterday are advised that if their bin was not collected, the team will return next Tuesday, weather permitting.

After major problems on the region’s roads on Monday, the situation eased in most areas yesterday.

But with temperatures expected to remain low and drop even further overnight, police urged caution while driving.

There were also fewer school closures in the region, with most of those still affected scheduled to reopen today .

Harbottle C of E Voluntary in Northumberland will be closed this afternoon, however, and the nursery at St Michael’s C of E First School in Alnwick will also be closed.

Roman Road Primary in Gateshead, Beechdale Nursery School and Consett Junior School in County Durham will be closed today.

We got about a foot on Friday night and Saturday morning and it’s just carried on snowing