SCHOOLS across East Lancashire were closed today as teachers and pupils struggled to get to the classroom.

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Blackburn was the among the first to announced it was shut. Primary schools including St James' Primary in Oozebooth Terrace, St Matthews CE in Withers Street, Audley Junior and Infants School, Roman Road and Bank Hey School all announced they would be shut all day.

Tockholes Primary School and St Peter's in Darwen were also closed.

Hawthorns Primary, St James' Road, Blackburn; Cedars Infant, Hawthorn Street, Blackburn and St Barnabus and St Paul's School, Oakenhurst Road, Blackburn, all closed for the morning at least. In Rossendale, Alder Grange High and St Paul's in Rawtenstall were shut.

Special schools across East Lancashire were also badly hit. Westway in Burnley, Townhouse in Nelson, Broadfield in Oswaldtwistle and Northcliffe in Great Harwood all remained closed, as was St Paul's in Rawtenstall.