COMMUTERS were caught by surprise today as snow brought chaos again to East Lancashire.

Roads and rail routes were closed following the overnight snow which weathermen said would persist as temperatures struggled to get above freezing.

Police were forced to close the Grane Road between Haslingden and Blackburn and New Lane, Oswaldtwistle, after several heavy goods vehicles became stranded in deep drifts.

Hoddlesden village was completely cut off, and traffic travelling from Bolton into Darwen tailed back for miles on the main A666 when an articulated lorry became stuck at the Circus in the town centre.

There were a number of minor accidents on the Edenfield, Haslingden and Easterly Accrington bypasses early this morning.

The dual carriageway was down to one lane in both directions and traffic slowed to a crawl.

Many early morning rail passengers on the East Lancashire line between Colne and Preston were affected as points froze. The service returned to normal by 9am.

Police warned motorists to take care on untreated side roads.

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