HEAVY snowfalls halted traffic, bus services, closed schools, shops and other businesses in the 'Post' area with thousands of children gleefully taking a day or two off school to sledge, play snowballs, and build snowmen. Launceston College closed completely on Tuesday, along with primary schools across North Cornwall, Torridge, West Devon, and Caradon.

Yesterday afternoon 222 schools in Cornwall were closed out of a total of 276.

In Devon, 96 out of 364 schools were closed shut.

While most children welcomed the snow earlier this week, the cold spell which quickly gripped the 'Post' area caused chaos to drivers and brought communities to a halt.

As predicted in weather forecasts, a large amount of snow fell on Monday and continued into the night. Drivers were advised to stay at home, unless their journey was essential. Many people, on their way home from work, were forced to abandon their cars and find other alternatives to get home after the conditions made driving hazardous.

Some areas in Devon and Cornwall were under around 10 cm of snow, and on Tuesday parts of the A30 and A39 were blocked by a series of accidents. One lorry slid down a hill and blocked the road at Polyphant, and later that morning four vehicles were stuck in snow in the same area.

For full story and many pictures of the snow scenes send in by readers and our own photographers, pick up a copy of the Cornish & Devon Post Series now.