Freezing weather forces a number of weekend's sporting fixtures to be called off

Britain's freezing weather has played havoc with this weekend's sporting programme, with a host of football matches and other events postponed.

The Championship game between Portsmouth and Hull has been called off, along with a number of games in League One and League Two.

Race meetings at Sandown, Wetherby and Ffos Las were also postponed.

Weather woe: Many fixtures have been called off this weekend

As much of the country was prepared for widespread snow, the message in many parts is to stay indoors.

However, a host of sporting encounters will go ahead as planned, including seven Premier League matches and a full Championship programme.

Arsenal's match against Blackburn begins at 1pm, two hours earlier than was planned due to closures on the London Underground.

There are five matches starting at 3pm, and a later match at 5.30pm between leaders Manchester City and Fulham.

The Six Nations Championship also begins this weekend, with Saturday's highlight the Calcutta Cup clash between Scotland and England at Murrayfield, which starts at 5pm. The game is expected to be played in freezing conditions.

THE FIXTURES CALLED OFF SO FAR

Football

Championship

Portsmouth v Hull

League One

Colchester v Sheffield United
Notts County v Stevenage
Oldham v Leyton Orient
Preston v Brentford

League Two

Aldershot v Bristol Rovers
Crewe v Accrington
Gillingham v Hereford
Morecambe v Dagenham
Oxford v Barnet
Rotherham v Torquay

Racing

Sandown
Wetherby
Ffos Las