ROADS across West Somerset remained closed yesterday (Thursday) after almost a foot of snow fell in the more rural areas on Tuesday night.

Blizzard conditions continued throughout Wednesday on the hills and moors, although the coastal strip escaped with just a few inches.

It was the second time the district had been hit by heavy snow in less than a week after earlier snowfalls last Thursday and Friday.

But while schoolchildren enjoyed their unplanned days off, communities in Dulverton and Watchet were mourning the deaths of two people.

Dulverton postman John Bircham, 57, collapsed and died on his rounds on Saturday morning as he battled through ice and snow in Hawkwell Lane between Dulverton and East Anstey.

And on Wednesday, teenagers raised the alarm in Watchet after coming across a woman collapsed in the snow in Mariners Way.

West Somerset coroner's officer Richard Davies said a post mortem was due to be held on the 69-year-old woman yesterday (Thursday).

Tuesday's snowfall struck just as the rush-hour got underway, forcing dozens of motorists to abandon their cars on the two main routes into the district.

Around 30 cars were left overnight on the A358 between Williton and Taunton, while some 30 people spent the night in Nether Stowey Village Hall after trees and snow blocked the A39 between Williton and Bridgwater.

Bus services were either suspended or severely disrupted on Wednesday, schools closed and motorists warned not to venture out unless their journeys were essential.

Yesterday (Thursday), the A396 remained closed due to snow and fallen trees near Timberscombe, and the B3223 near Simonsbath was blocked by snow, as was the A39 between Oare and Brendon.

Jane Greenslade was trying to get to Washford when she found her route home along the A39 blocked at Nether Stowey on Tuesday.

She told a TV news crew: "I left work just after 4pm and went to Exeter to pick up my son and was trying to get back to Washford.

"We came down the Taunton road but that was blocked so we went back to Bridgwater and came down the Bridgwater road and it was blocked here [Nether Stowey].

"The police brought us all in to the village hall to keep us warm and dry while they try to clear the roads."

Following the rescue, police force incident manager Adam Crockford said: "At about 1am we became aware that about 30 people were stuck on a road that was impassable, primarily because of snow but also because of fallen trees.

"Officers from different districts in 4x4s were first on the scene to help.

"We asked the local fire station to open up and serve hot drinks and spoke with the council and identified a key holder for a nearby village hall.

"It was a group effort by the emergency services and a bit of community spirit."

There were also problems across the Quantock Hills, the Brendons and Exmoor.

Minehead firefighters were called out to Dunkery Beacon on Saturday to rescue an elderly couple whose car had become stuck in snow.

Somerset County Council said drifting snow, particularly at the end of last week, had made many routes extremely treacherous.

A spokesman for the authority said gritter crews had been working around the clock in snow-affected areas, while double the amount of salt had been used to try and stop roads freezing.

Deputy Leader Cllr David Hall said: "It has been a difficult time for everyone but it has seen excellent efforts by our staff and contractors, partner agencies, volunteers and the public in keeping Somerset moving."

From Tuesday afternoon, the fleet of 23 county council gritters circled the 900 miles of high priority roads with salt, and later concentrated on a further 500 miles – about a third of the county network in total.

Agricultural contractors also helped with snow ploughing duties, and 4x4 drivers across the county lent a hand to fellow motorists. Volunteers drivers from Wessex 4x4 helped adult social care staff reach vulnerable people, while staff at the West Somerset Community College ensured students who were due to sit GCSE exams were able to do so.

And despite the snow, staff at Crowcombe's Carew Arms decided to bring out the barbecue after the village was hit by a power cut.

Rather than leave regulars going hungry, pub staff cooked up bacon and sausages to keep out the cold.