LUDLOW and south Shropshire as well as Tenbury and the Teme Valley have been hit by the heaviest snowfall for many years.

It has left many roads, including major routes, difficult to negotiate.

Some isolated villages and hamlets have found themselves to be effectively cut off.

The amount of snow has varied but in some cases depths of six inches or more have been recorded made worse when blown by the wind.

A list of school closures is growing due to the conditions making it unsafe for pupils and teachers.

With the last significant heavy show in 2010 for some children it has been the first real opportunity to sledge and build snowmen.

There was some snow on Friday followed by a cold night with little snow falling on Saturday.

However, the real fall began in the early hours of Sunday morning and continued throughout the day. With little traffic to help keep even major routes clear there were large accumulations.

Getting around even on flat sections was difficult but the situation was almost impossible where there was even the slightest incline.

Attempts by Shropshire Council to pre-salt roads ahead of major snow fall were thwarted by the amount that fell.

At the end of November Shropshire Council held 17,300 tonnes of salt. The aim is to make sure that 28 per cent of the network is treated with priority give to A and B roads as well as high risk areas and town centres.

Shropshire Council has a fleet of 25 salting vehicles with ploughs plus five rescue vehicles. In addition to this there are nine snow blowers and footway ploughs.

Around the county there are 85 grit bins.

In Tenbury and the Teme Valley the story is the same with many roads impassable as Worcestershire County Council fought a losing ballet.

The advice from the Council and West Mercia Police is that only journeys that are absolutely necessary should be attempted.