Snow brought chaos to Sussex roads today, bringing traffic to a standstill and sparking a string of accidents.

Thousands of people were late for work as traffic to the east of Brighton was brought to a halt in places by unexpected falls.

Woodingdean in Brighton was blanketed and the Falmer Road was gridlocked.

Motoring organisations and police told drivers to slow down on the M23 as the snow and slush reduced visibility to 70 yards.

There was a two to three-inch covering to the east of Brighton with side roads in Rottingdean, Saltdean and Woodingdean particularly badly affected.

There were jams in both directions along the A27 Brighton bypass and some motorists complained about the lack of gritters.

A Brighton and Hove Council spokeswoman said: "Roads were gritted with salt, but rain in the early hours washed it away and when this turned to snow it left it a covering on roads where salt had been washed away."

By noon much of the snow had disappeared.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "There were no snow related problems by early afternoon. It was an overnight flurry which caused several minor accidents."

Downs View special school in Warren Road, Brighton, closed due to the weather.

Parent Derek Schofield of Coomb Vale, Saltdean, said: "I am fuming. It causes complete havoc when a school like this is closed at the drop of a hat."

Deputy head Charlie Philips said: "Our caretaker informed us the side road up to the school had snow on it at 7am. We phoned the Met Office and they told us it could get worse. We were particularly worried about children with mobility problems, so we decided to close the school."

This morning a lorry jackknifed in Eastbourne and a car crashed on to its roof at Horsham but there were no reports of serious injuries.

Cars had trouble on East Dean Hill on the A259 between Seaford and Eastbourne.

The road was virtually impassable at one point and one man took to his skis to reach work.

The A26 at Crowborough was blocked when a lorry broke down and there were reports of several minor collisions through the county.

Ditchling Beacon Road was also closed due to a crash.

Slightly milder, dryer weather is expected tonight and during the next few days.