Thrill-seekers across Hampstead and Highgate grabbed their sledges and headed for the hills this weekend to enjoy the snow on Hampstead Heath.

Parliament Hill was swamped with sledgers, young and old, as they braved the steep hill. Father-and-son teams took on mother-and-daughter pairings as they raced down the snow-swept descents.

Model and Hampstead resident Melanie Sykes was spotted joining in the fun and speeding down Parliament Hill with her son.

Despite the freezing conditions, the bathing ponds were open for business as usual.

Paul Jeal, swimming supervisor on the Heath, said: “The usual suspects were there. One or two couldn’t get in, but there weren’t many missing.

“The water was just above freezing and although we had ice on some of the ponds, the swimming ones were clear.”

Gritting lorries ran through the night to keep the traffic on the move, with gritting bins emptied to make safe hospitals and transport hubs.

On Monday (January 21) parking enforcement was suspended north of Euston Road, except on main roads.

Camden Council said rubbish collection was expected to be disrupted on Tuesday morning (January 22) because of the icy weather conditions.