Motorists have been warned to take extra care on the roads with thick fog engulfing London and the south east of England.

The Met Office issued a weather warning last night, advising motorists to take care in dangerous driving conditions as visibility is reduced to less than 100 metres.

The warnings were meant to be in place from 6pm yesterday until 9am this morning, but conditions have lasted longer than expected.

Speaking last night, Met Office chief forecaster Dan Suri added: “Areas of fog, including some locally dense freezing fog patches with visibility less than 100 metres, will readily form on Monday evening and persist through the night into Tuesday.

“Fog is then expected to be slow to lift and clear on Tuesday, lingering for much of the morning and perhaps onwards into the afternoon in some spots.

“Please be aware of likely tricky road travel conditions."

The Met Office website’s forecast says: “Today is murky and rather cold, with extensive low cloud, mist and fog, locally freezing fog.

“Given light winds, these conditions may persists in many areas throughout the day, with only limited brighter intervals developing as temperatures languish in single figures.”