Snow is forecast to hit Kent again today as shoppers try to catch up on their Christmas present buying.

Flurries have been reported in Sittingbourne, Tunbridge Wells and Whitstable this morning - and more is on the way.

Heavy traffic is expected at Bluewater as the centre faces its busiest day of the year so far.

The centre's general Andrew Parkinson said: "Bluewater has been consistently busy since Sunday, when the weather cleared, and things have definitely returned to normal.

"Guests are determined not to leave friends and family disappointed at Christmas.

"Consequently, at the first sign of a break in the weather, they have continued their Christmas shopping.

"Our Mega Days in particular have been very successful, with greater numbers than expected visiting Bluewater in the evening.

"Last night, for example, 35,000 guests shopped at Bluewater between 7pm and 11pm and our car parks were 100 per cent full at 9pm.

"They were still over 70 per cent full when the stores closed.

"Today is likely to be our busiest day of all in the run-up to Christmas, and we expect even larger numbers of guests to be shopping right up until we close at 11pm."

Road chiefs also issued an ice alert this morning warning roads in the county could get treacherous.

A Kent Highways Services spokesman said: "Road surface temperatures in Kent have fallen below freezing overnight.

"In anticipation of this the main roads – throughout Kent have been treated again this morning to help prevent the formation of ice on road surfaces this evening and tomorrow morning."

Today's Met Office forecast predicted heavy snow.

It said: "Feeling very cold in strengthening northeasterly winds, which will bring in scattered wintry showers.

"The showers will most frequent across Kent and East Sussex, sleet along the north Kent coast, mainly snow elsewhere.

"Further local accumulations five to 10cm possible. Maximum temperature 2C."

Eurostar has reported no problems with its service - following speed restrictions put in place earlier this week.

Southeastern has said it expects to run a normal service today - although there will probably be some cancellations.

A spokesman for the train operator said: "We're expecting to operate the normal timetable service today.

"Again there will be fewer carriages on some services as trains need servicing, repair and maintenance.

"And there are likely to be some cancellations through the day."