Thousands of pupils are being affected by school and nursery closures due to snow and ice in the north of Scotland.

Head teachers made the decision to either shut or partially shut when severe weather conditions caused road closures, with one school and a nursery also left with no water, heating or power.

More than 7,000 pupils in the Highlands from a total of six secondary schools (4,226 pupils), 20 primary schools (2,486 pupils) and 15 nurseries (524 children) are affected.

In Moray, 15 primary schools, two secondary schools and three nurseries were also either closed or partially closed by conditions.

Decisions over school and nursery closures are made by teachers on a case-by-case basis.

Changes to transport routes have been made to two high schools in Aberdeenshire due to dangerous road conditions.

Police have urged drivers to avoid certain routes and to expect major delays due to the wintry weather.

The A96 has been closed between Fochabers and Keith due to heavy snow.

Traffic Scotland tweeted: "Fochabers - Keith is now CLOSED S/B due to deteriorating weather conditions.

"Police are also advising motorists to avoid N/B also."

A Met Office spokesperson said: "A band of rain will readily turn to snow as it pushes east across parts of Scotland.

"Temporary accumulations of a few cms are likely at low levels, with higher ground (above about 150 metres) possibly seeing 3-6 cm, locally more.

"Ice will be an additional hazard.

"Snow should become lighter and more patchy before dying out by around midday Monday."