Around 35 tonnes of snow has been cleared from Welford Road ahead of Leicester Tigers' Aviva Premiership Rugby game with Newcastle Falcons today (3pm).

Frost sheets have been covering the pitch all week and protected it from the two inches of snow which fell overnight.

And that snow, some 20 tonnes on the pitch and 15 tonnes on the terraces, has now been cleared by a team of around 100 people, including Tigers staff, stewards and volunteers.

“It has been another Herculean effort by everyone involved,” said head of stadium operations Charles Rayner.

“We have had a snow-clearance team on standby and they have done an excellent job. They have swept, shovelled and wheel-barrowed the snow out of the stadium.

“Leicester City Council have also been supportive and have gritted Aylestone Walk.”

Tickets for the match are available now from the Tigers ticket office. Phone 0844 856 1880, book online by clicking here or call in at Welford Road.