FORECASTERS have warned the UK could experience its coldest winter in years, prompting bookmakers to slash the odds for a white Christmas.

After recent mild winters, this winter is poised to be slightly colder than average, The Weather Company said.

As a result, betting company Ladbrokes cut its odds for a white Christmas in the UK from 6/4 to 5/4 this month.

The Argus: The Royal Pavilion in the snowThe Royal Pavilion in the snow

But fellow bookmakers Paddy Power have put the odds at a far more conservative 7/1 in London.

The Met Office defines a white Christmas as a day in which "one snowflake is observed falling in the 24 hours of December 25".

The weather service has issued a long-term forecast for the period between December 11 and December 25.

The Argus: Swimmers brave the cold to go for a chilly dip in the seaSwimmers brave the cold to go for a chilly dip in the sea

It stated: "Despite some mixed signals, the general trend suggests typical early winter weather with periods of persistent rain and showery interludes.

"Cloudy and blustery conditions are still likely in the east at first.

"Overall, the best of the driest and brightest weather is in the south and east.

"Frost and fog patches are likely during any settled spells, and any wintry precipitation is likely in colder and more unsettled spells over high ground of the north and northwest.

The Argus: Snow makes for perilous driving conditions on the city's hillsSnow makes for perilous driving conditions on the city's hills

"Conditions in the southwest are likely to turn more settled through the month.

"There is a risk of gales, with the strongest winds being seen to the north and northwest."

In Brighton, fellow weather service AccuWeather is predicting highs of 12C in the day and lows of 5C overnight on December 25.

The Argus: Can you remember the last time it snowed in Brighton?Can you remember the last time it snowed in Brighton?

It has forecast cloudy conditions with "a little rain in the morning" followed by intermittent showers through the afternoon.

Weather forecasters at Metcheck say there is a 25 per cent chance of a white Christmas in Brighton.