DRIVERS are being warned of freezing fog as they head home for Christmas this afternoon.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for the region from 3pm today, Christmas Eve, as thousands are expected to take to the roads.

Fog or freezing fog will be dense in places which forecasters say will be widespread and may stretch into Christmas Day.

There is a chance of delays or flight cancellations and slower journey times on the roads with delays to bus and train services possible, the Met Office said.

Visibility may fall to around 50 metres at times.

The fog warning is currently in place from 3pm today until 11am tomorrow, Christmas Day.

Elsewhere, the RAC have warned traffic is likely to peak on Boxing Day when some 6.8 million individual trips will be made as drivers cross the country to see family and friends.

The second busiest day over the period is expected to be Thursday when 4.4 million journeys are expected to be taken nationwide.

RAC Patrol of the Year Mark Souster said: “The run-up to Christmas is traditionally a very busy time on the roads and for us as Patrols, and 2018 looks to be no exception – although our data suggests drivers are planning on getting away early in some cases and spreading their journeys across a number of days, which would certainly be no bad thing.

“It’s vitally important every driver planning a trip gives their car a once over to make sure it’s up to the job, as a single breakdown can bring some roads to a grinding halt, slowing down the Christmas getaway for all of us.

"A few moments spent checking things like fuel, oil, coolant and screenwash levels and the condition and pressure of tyres could make the difference between a stress-free journey and one plagued by a breakdown.

"It might feel like yet another thing to think about before Christmas but it’s a fact that many of the breakdowns we see are avoidable if drivers just do these few checks before they set out.”