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HUNDREDS of children got the afternoon off as snow blasted Huddersfield again.

At least 15 schools made the decision to shut as snow fell throughout yesterday morning, even though it eased off by lunchtime.

And gritting crews battled to keep open roads.

Most main routes were able to stay open but drivers struggled on side roads.

Kirklees Council highways officials shut Birkhouse Lane, between Manchester Road and Paddock, yesterday afternoon after several minor accidents involving cars skidding on the snow.

More than 40 bus services throughout Kirklees were also affected as up to three inches of snow fell.

Many were sticking to main roads only and not serving estates, but among those suspended by the bus companies were services to Lepton, Grange Moor, Skelmanthorpe and Shepley.

A council spokesman said gritting crews had been out since early morning.

“Priority routes were gritted this morning and we have had one incidence of a snow plough being dispatched to assist Holmfirth Junior, Infant and Nursery School on Cartworth Road in Holmfirth.

“Night patrols were due to monitor overnight as the forecast was for the snow to turn to rain, with outbreaks of rain during the night and early today.”

Several schools decided to close during the course of the day and claimed that the adverse weather would make it difficult for children and staff to get home.

Not all of them contacted Kirklees to inform them of the closures. A council spokesman said: “Schools are asked to contact Kirklees Council in the event of closure so that updates can be posted on the council website.”

Schools affected were Beech Early Years Infant & Junior School, Birkdale High School, Denby First School, Cumberworth CE First School, Greenside Infant and Nursery School, Birkby Infant and Nursery School, Helme CE Junior and Infant School, Skelmanthorpe First and Nursery, Meltham Moor Primary School, Scapegoat Hill Junior & Infant School, Shaw Cross Infant & Nursery School, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Kirkburton Middle School and Castle Hill School.

Salendine Nook weather expert Paul Stevens said: “It was exactly as we predicted, although the snow arrived a little earlier than we thought.

“It is being followed northwards by a band of much warmer weather and certainly over the weekend there will be a thaw for everywhere other than on the very tops of the hills.

“It will be cold, dank and miserable but next week we will be looking forward to temperatures actually two or three degrees above normal for the time of year at about 10°C.”

The rest of Britain was hit by snow, sleet and rain with downpours forecast to dominate overnight.

Wales saw the worst of the snow overnight, with up to 2in (5cm) settling in some areas, especially over higher ground, according to forecaster Stephen Davenport.

A band of wintry showers of snow and sleet was expected to spread north and east from Wales and the Midlands to northern England before reaching southern Scotland later.

Southern England experienced heavy rain, with the South West and West Country bearing the brunt.