If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year - and you've placed a bet on it - lady luck could be on your side.

Paul Knightley, from the PA weather centre, said that providing two weather fronts converge as they are predicted to, there could be snow on Christmas Day in York and the surrounding area.

Mr Knightley said: "We've got cold air coming down from the North and warm air still hanging around over Southern areas on Christmas day. So it will be the battleground between the two where we could see some snow."

He said that York did look like it could be on the northern edge of this boundary. and snow was therefore a possibility, but much more definite in the Dales, Wolds and Moors.

He said snow was more likely on Boxing Day.

The ideal conditions for snow on Christmas Day will be a cold northerly wind with warm air coming up to meet it from the south.

"Fingers crossed you might well see some snow," he said.

Meanwhile, bookmakers William Hill have suspended betting on whether we are going to have a White Christmas.

A spokeswoman said it was due weather reports which could prompt a change of the odds.

Odds on a White Christmas before betting was suspended were 3 to 1 in London, two to one in Glasgow and Leeds (which would include the York area) and three to one in Manchester.