A HANDFUL of schools had to close today after snow showers hit East Lancashire.

Parents of pupils at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, in Waterfoot, were sent messages telling them not to send their children in.

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A spokesman for the Glen Road school said: "Due to the change in the weather and the amount of snow falling, the school has made the decision to close."

Pupils at St Joseph's RC Primary School, in Stacksteads, were also told not to go in today.

A school spokesman said: "Unfortunately, due to the bad weather and hazardous conditions around school, it has been decided that school will be closed for all pupils and staff today.

"We are hoping to be re-open tomorrow as usual."

Children at Sharneyford Primary School, in Bacup, were asked to complete tasks at home today because of the closure.

A spokeswoman said: "Due to weather and road conditions, also for the safety of children, parents and carers we are closed today.

"Homework tasks can be accessed from each class's area of the website."

Water Primary School, St Mary's Cof E Primary, in Newchurch-in-Pendle, St Mary's RC Primary, in Bacup, St Anne's Edgeside CofE Primary, and St Joseph's RC Primary, in Stacksteads, also closed their doors to students.

Other areas of East Lancashire had avoided the heavy snow that was predicted to fall overnight. However, some areas, including Oswaldtwistle, Colne and Burnley experienced flurries. 

Problems started to arise on the roads, with Burnley Road, in Accrington, reported to be very icy.

Gritters were out across the region in force last night as temperatures were predicted to fall as low as -1C.

A Met Office yellow weather warning for snow is still in place today, with flurries possible until around noon.