Players of English League One side Peterborough United sprung into action as emergency snow sweepers in a desperate bid to finish a match amid arctic weather conditions.

As snow blanketed the pitch on Tuesday, the referee brought a halt to play after 80 minutes with Peterborough, based in the east of England, leading 2-1 at home against Walsall.

Players and staff -- including former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor and Junior Morias -- picked up brushes as conditions worsened, clearing the lines so the game could proceed.

"When the referee stopped play, he told us that we had five minutes to clear the lines of snow," said caretaker manager David Oldfield.

"Everybody leaped into action from office staff to stewards and from ground staff to players. It showed the togetherness this football club has."

The club tweeted a photo of players frantically clearing the lines with brushes.

"The @pyeongchang2018 Winter Olympics may have finished, but @Junior_Morias could put himself forward for the Curling event with this sweeping tekkers! Just shows the togetherness of everyone," it said.

Club owner Darragh MacAnthony tweeted his thanks after the match, which finished 2-1.

"Credit to ground staff & many volunteers tonight couldn't have achieved that win without them all. Incredible effort & commitment from them all."

A blast of Siberian weather dubbed the "Beast from the East" by British media has swept across Europe, keeping the mercury far below zero and killing dozens of people.

Scottish football chiefs have postponed all three Premiership games scheduled for Wednesday including Celtic's home match due to heavy snowfall.