SNOW could cause parts of the Borders to become “cut off” or suffer power cuts, forecasters say - with the Met Office ramping up its warning for some areas.

Some northerly parts of the region have now been issued with an amber warning for snow, with the rest covered by a yellow alert.

The amber warning, which lasts until 9pm today (Tuesday, February 9), applies to places including Lauder, Greenlaw, Duns and West Linton.

Scottish Borders Council’s emergency planning officer Jim Fraser said: “In line with the yellow weather warning for snow, a number of areas of the Borders have been affected overnight by snow, with 10cm and above in places.

READ MORE: Here are the 7 candidates standing in the Leaderdale and Melrose by-election

“The Met Office is now forecasting more persistent snow showers across some areas today and as a result has extended the amber warning to include part of the Borders.

“We’re likely to see snow at all levels across the whole of the Scottish Borders today so I would urge people to only travel if their journey is essential – in line with current COVID-19 restrictions.

“Our snow ploughs and gritters are out clearing our primary road network and will move on to the secondary routes as and when conditions and resources allow.”

READ MORE: Coronavirus: The Borders areas with the fewest new cases in recent days

The Met Office’s amber warning says people should expect travel delays.

It also says the “there is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off”, adding: “Power cuts are likely and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected.”

The yellow warning, meanwhile, applies until 11.59pm tomorrow (Wednesday, February 10).

For more information on the council’s winter services, you can visit www.scotborders.gov.uk/winter