FORESTERS who fancy a flutter on a white Christmas could be in luck this year as a big chill sweeps into the Dean.

Forecasters say they cannot rule out snow tonight or tomorrow as the mercury plunges to well below zero.

And the Arctic conditions look set to continue over the coming weeks with the odds on a white Christmas falling as fast as the temperatures.

Forecaster Jonathan Powell says it's time to wrap up warm because the cold conditions are likely to continue until February.

He is predicting a winter to rival last year when icy roads and deep snow caused chaos across the Dean.

"From Thursday onwards there's a good chance of snow," said Mr Powell of Positive Weather Solutions.

"At night the temperatures could fall to around -5C, but the wind chill factor is going to make it feel more like -10C and below.

"The frost on the trees will make the Forest look lovely, but it will be like a skating rink. It could last into next week."

Forecasts suggest sub-zero temperatures and unsettled weather at the end of December could mean children waking up to snow on Christmas morning.

"It's a distinct possibility," said Mr Powell. "It's definitely worth a bet.

"It's certainly going to be a winter to be reckoned with but I think it will be quite a short one.

"It will be cold in December, cold in January and then in February it will flip and we will have an early spring."

Gloucestershire County Council are preparing for a cold snap and have more than doubled salt stocks over the past two years.

But they say they do not have enough to treat private properties and are urging anybody who sees people taking grit from bins to treat their own driveways or paths to call the police.