South West Snow

6:30 pm, Wed 23 Jan 2013

How the snow has been affecting life in the Mendips

by Richard Payne

Schools were forced to close today, but in one village the head teacher and her staff made it in nonetheless, shovelling the snow so they can open tomorrow.

5:15 pm, Wed 23 Jan 2013

Battling through 30cm of snow to feed Gloucestershire cattle

by Ken Goodwin

According to the Met Office, officially the biggest snowfall anywhere in the country was at Little Rissington, just north of Burford, where 30 cm (or a foot) fell last night.

For rangers who look after cattle on a common, this latest snow fall means yet more difficult journeys to feed them.

Snow disruption across the West Country: full report

Snow is continuing to cause disruption in the region. A night of heavy snow closed many roads and left some motorists stranded.

In Somerset as many as 30 people were forced to spend the night in a village hall after their cars were left stuck on the A39 between Minehead and Bridgwater. Conditions on the roads are now steadily improving. Simon Bagge reports.

2:27 pm, Wed 23 Jan 2013

Some bus services still suspended in Taunton and Bridgwater

Some First bus services in Taunton are gradually restarted after being suspended in earlier. The 1, 1A, 3, 3A, 4, 21 and the 21A are now running but some side roads remain impassable.

Similarly in Bridgwater more services are now running. The 1, 2, 3, 14, 21 and 21A are all now running a restricted service.

2:17 pm, Wed 23 Jan 2013

Rangers battle snow to feed cattle

Though the cattle are comfortable in the cold, it makes getting food to them difficult. Credit: ITV News West Country

Rangers fought snow drifts and blizzard conditions to get onto cleeve common near cheltenham to feed a herd of galloway cattle.

The animals are happy living on the common - they are a highland breed and can withstand intense cold. But they have to be fed and the ice on their water trough has to be broken.

"We are up here every day to feed the cattle but in this weather it's difficult. The snow can blow over the tracks and you can easily get lost.We got stuck in drifts a couple of times getting here. But we made it in the end." - David Stevenson, Ranger.