Weather - live: Snow and ice warnings extended as Shetlanders face days without power

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With snowy and icy conditions across many parts of the country, the Met Office has shared tips on how to adjust your driving.

1. Take care around gritters. Don't be tempted to overtake.

2. Slow down. It can take 10 times longer to stop in icy conditions.

3. Use a high gear. This will help avoid wheel spin.

4. Avoid harsh braking. Pump the brakes if needed.

5. Maoeuvre gently. Ease off the accelerator if you skid.

Novelist Ann Cleeves has lost a laptop containing the draft of her next book in a blizzard in Shetland.

She fears the laptop may have fallen out of her bag as she made her way through Lerwick in wintry conditions on Monday.

She is offering a reward for the return of the laptop, though said it is probably buried under “a foot of snow” by now as the islands have been hit by severe weather.

The writer told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme on Wednesday: “Nobody has found it yet and I think to be fair it has snowed so much since I lost it that it’s probably under about a foot of snow wherever it is.

“People have been amazingly kind, I’ve been getting responses from all over Lerwick.

“But luckily my latest book that I've been working on, I had sent it as an email attachment to myself just a couple of days ago so I've not lost too much.”

Her books have been adapted into the TV series Shetland.

Some Shetland residents could be left without power for the rest of the week as freezing weather conditions worsen and temperatures hit -5C.

The Scottish government declared a major incident on Tuesday after thousands lost power when heavy snow, unusual in the area, brought down lines and poles on Monday.

Temperatures in Shetland will reach lows of -5C by Thursday in Lerwick, with sub-zero temperatures remaining for much of the week.

Aisha Rimi has the full story:

Police Scotland have released CCTV images of the last sighting of a man who has been missing for three days amid freezing conditions.

Rodrigo Falcon, 33, was last seen heading down Grampian Road towards the southern end of Aviemore in the Highlands at around 3.10 am on Sunday.

The images show he was wearing no coat, just a jumper and baggy jeans.

Mr Falcon disappeared while a Met Office yellow warning for snow and ice was in place for much of Scotland.

Chief Inspector Alasdair McLeod, south Highland area commander, said: “As time goes on we are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of Rodrigo.

“It is obvious from the response we have had that there is great concern in the community for his well-being and I would like to thank the local community for their assistance so far.

“Local officers, along with specialist officers, are continuing to carry out extensive searches.”

He added: “He is described as being 5ft 6in tall, of slim build, with dark hair cut in a mullet style with a moustache and beard.

“Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Rodrigo should call 101, quoting reference 2387 of December 11.”

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice across central and southern parts of Scotland.

The warning begins on 6am on Friday until midnight.

Some people on Shetland could be without electricity for the rest of the week as weather conditions worsen, the local council leader said.

Emma Macdonald, leader of the Shetland Islands Council, said wet and heavy snow, unusual for the area, had brought down power lines and poles.

She said: "We don't normally get much snow, we get a lot of wind and gales, and it has had a significant impact.

"We have so many lines down and people could be without electricity until the end of the week."

She added : “About 70 engineers have come across on the boat and they are doing everything they can, but it is a challenging task as the weather is poor and the wind is picking up.

“It’s not the fault of the power company, they are doing everything they can to get connected.

“We are a resilient community and are often cut off during the winter if the ferry doesn’t run.

“We do all pull together.”

Temperatures in the UK should hit double digits by the end of the weekend, according to the Met Office.

Highs of 13C are expected in St Ives, Cornwall on Sunday, with the warmer weather forecasted to continue into the beginning of next week.

The Met Office's long range weather forecast from Sunday to next Tuesday reads:

"On Sunday, outbreaks of rain, sleet or snow spreading northwards. Rain, heavy and prolonged at times, will spread from the southwest, with a transient risk of snow, especially in higher areas. Most parts becoming much milder than of late by the end of the weekend.

"Into the start of next week, turning cooler again with showers, heavy at times, across the north and northwest and some rain in the far south. Drier, brighter conditions likely in between.

"The remainder of the period carries some uncertainty, but less cold and more changeable conditions seem more likely, especially in southern areas.

"Meanwhile, further north, we stand a greater chance of colder weather along with some wintry showers being more prevalent."

A man in his 20s has died after falling into the River Thames near London Bridge, police confirmed.

The body was recovered on Monday evening after he was seen entering the water earlier that evening.

Police are not treating his death as suspicious.