Sussex has been told to brace itself for a battering from the elements in a severe weather warning.

Forecasters predict the county could be hit by ice, gale-force winds, sub-zero temperatures and the first heavy snow since 1997.

Gritters have been put on standby in a bid to make sure the county's roads are not brought to a standstill if the big freeze hits next week.

People are warned to expect the worst of the season's weather, which could catch many unprepared because the county has so far had a mild winter.

The Met Office says a small depression over the low countries is likely to mean a spell of freezing weather arriving in Sussex on Monday.

A Met Office forecaster said: "The indication is that from Monday morning there could be a cold snap lasting into next week.

"February is one of the months with the best chance of snow.

"Snow settling on roads could cause problems. The indication is that it could be a few inches of snow."

January was unusually mild this year, with temperatures around two degrees above average.

The forecaster added the details of the forecast were likely to change as the weather system got closer to Britain and it was too early to guarantee what conditions would be like next week.

Ken Woodhams, The Argus weatherman, who has been monitoring the weather in Brighton for 50 years, said there was a 50 per cent chance of snow.

He said: "The average temperature should be around 45 Fahrenheit (7.2 Celsius) and we are at 39 (3.8 Celsius).

"It has been a rather variable February. The lines on my charts are going right up and down.

"December 17, 1997, was probably the last big snowfall we had. There have been a few flurries since then but that was the last time it settled in Brighton and Hove."

A spokesman from Brighton and Hove City Council said gritters would be ready whatever the weather brings.

He said: "They can be deployed very quickly and need virtually no notice.

"In extreme circumstances snow ploughs can be brought in."