THE start of the spring term was short-lived for West Somerset youngsters as schools across the district were closed on Wednesday after the overnight snowfalls.

Most children had only gone back to school on Tuesday after their Christmas break, but woke up to a wintry wonderland and an unexpected extra holiday.

Although not quite on a par with the Arctic conditions experienced last February, there were still several inches of snow on the lower ground and many more higher up on the moors and hills.

Strong winds whipped the snow into drifts, while a cold snap earlier in the week meant much of the snow in the more rural areas fell on sheet ice and already frozen ground.

Plunging temperatures on Wednesday night made driving conditions even more perilous and rubbish collections and grocery deliveries across the district were thrown into disarray.

Several stores ran out of bread and milk as shoppers stocked up on the basics and many residents had to go without their daily newspapers on Wednesday.

But Somerset County Council was prepared for the worst and snow ploughs were out in the early hours of Wednesday morning to keep the main roads open.

Its 23 gritters were working round the clock and an additional ten lorries and 37 farmers' vehicles fitted with snow ploughs were helping to clear main roads.

But the council warned that the cold spell meant many roads across the area were simply too cold for gritting to be effective and warned motorists to take extra care in the days to come.

Richard Boddington, a volunteer at Crowcombe Community Post Office and Stores, said business had been brisk at the shop, with customers - and workers - braving the chill.

"The snow plough went through at about 3am but we had another two to three inches afterwards and the road was well covered and not easy to drive on at all," he said.

"Martin Dean walked more than a mile to make sure the post office was open for customers - the old British lion spirit has been shining through!"

At Wheddon Cross it was also business as usual at the local Londis store.

Assistant manager James Gardner said his journey to work had been relatively simple as he only lived next door, but customers had managed to make it from further afield.

"Quite a few have been out in their 4x4s, but we've only had half the amount of snow that we had compared with last February," he said.

The conditions put paid to virtually all West Somerset's bus services throughout Wednesday with only a shuttle service running between Minehead and Williton.

Household waste recycling centres were closed with staff re-deployed clearing snow.

County council social care staff are working with care providers to make sure support reaches vulnerable and older people.

The county's community director Miriam Maddison said: "People can help by looking out for family, friends and neighbours.

"If you know someone who gets a home care visit and you are able to get to them to provide some help, that may release carers to reach those people in the most hard to reach areas."

Ian Timms, group manager for community and housing at West Somerset Council, urged people to keep on eye both on the weather forecasts and their neighbours.

"If people have to travel, they should check the weather forecasts and road conditions before leaving and make sure they have taken the measures recommended for travelling in adverse conditions," he said.

"We are lucky in having good close-knit communities in West Somerset but would ask people to remember to check on neighbours, particularly if they are elderly or vulnerable."

He said many council staff had managed to make into the authority's Williton and Minehead offices despite Wednesday's snow, although bosses had decided to send them home before nightfall.

"It was mostly business as usual, although staff who could work from home were encouraged to do so," he said.

"Given the adverse conditions and Highways Authority advice not to travel on icy roads, we decided to close the council's offices at 3pm on Wednesday to ensure staff could get home safely. 

"We kept an eye on the weather forecasts and will continue to act on highways advice and would urge the public to do the same."

Across in Dulverton, Exmoor National Park Authority also managed to open its doors to the public, albeit with a reduced staff.