S-NOW JOKE: Jeff Stewart, of Lord Street, Colne, clears the heavy snow off his car following blizzard conditions during the night BLIZZARD conditions on high ground caused traffic chaos as winter returned to East Lancashire with a vengeance.

Minor accidents were reported in Todmorden Road, Burnley, and the Grane Road between Haslingden and Blackburn.

But all major roads remained open and were passable with care. Police advised motorists to slow down and take extra care while driving.

Council gritters were out in force throughout the snowfall yesterday to offset the effects of the snow and ice. Snowfalls began in the early hours which combined with the strong winds caused drifts a foot or more deep in some areas.

Youngsters from about thirty schools all across East Lancashire were given an unexpected day off. Some of the schools were closed because staff were unable to get in.

High schools closed included Walshaw and Ivy Bank, Burnley, Fearns, Stacksteads, All Saints, Rawtenstall, Sts John Fisher and Thomas More, Colne and Walton, Nelson. The Forest of Trawden road was impassable for a time but all other major roads remained open.Conditions were worst on country lanes and some estate areas in the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale areas.

A police spokesman said: "All main routes are passable with care but are obviously worse on the higher ground. We are advising drivers to slow down and to take extra care."

The weather forecast for the next few days is for occasional sleet and snow to drift south, leaving cloud and sunny intervals. There could be one or two light snow showers tomorrow in the east of the region and it will remain cold.