HUNDREDS of Herefordshire schoolchildren enjoyed an unexpected day in the snow after 16 county schools closed last Thursday.

Blizzards hit Herefordshire last Wednesday and saw youngsters eagerly swapping their school uniforms for winter woollies to go sledging and build snowmen.

Herefordshire Council's director of education, Eddie Oram, said: "Schools provide a valuable service to the community and Herefordshire Council expects head teachers to make every reasonable effort to keep them open.

"Staff are given clear guidelines about issues that they need to take into account before they close schools at short notice, and there is specific guidance on closures during poor weather.

"A number of schools, particularly in North Herefordshire in and around Leominster and Wigmore, were forced to close because of transport difficulties caused by snow and ice on the roads.

"Several transport operators decided - having assessed conditions at 6.30am when vehicles were due to leave - that it was unsafe to pick up children living in villages and hamlets along country roads.

"Schools were informed that transport could not operate. A high proportion of the county's pupils travel to school by bus and many of those live in rural areas accessible only by minor roads badly hit by ice and snow.

"The council appreciates the difficulties that closures at short notice may cause families and continually reviews guidance given to schools to ensure closures are kept to a minimum."

l HOMES were left without power as high winds battered Herefordshire on Saturday night.

Residents looked out their candles and camping stoves after houses were plunged into darkness. Some were without power for up to 24 hours.

Huge branches and trees came down and tiles were blown from roofs during the storm, which lasted for most of the weekend.

A falling tree caused structural damage at Newstead House Nursing Home in Venns Lane, Hereford, on Saturday afternoon.

Later, firefighters unblocked Brampton Road in Madley at 6.25pm after a tree came down.

One of the most bizarre deeds they had to carry out was to remove a dangerous sign at the Buckingham, in Whitecross Road, Hereford. The sign had been in place since 1863 and it is hoped it will soon be hanging proudly again!