HEAVY snow caused road closures and forced 28 schools in South Lakeland to shut.

Residents were urged to stay put and not to travel unless necessary following the cold snap which swept across the district on Sunday night and Monday morning – with up to four inches of snow in some areas.

Drivers heading off to work had to find alternative routes after roads – including the Kirkstone Pass, the A66 and parts of the M6 in north Cumbria – were closed because of snow and ice.

And pupils stayed at home as schools closed their doors for the day.

The area fared better than much of the south of England but a spokesman for Cumbria County Council said more heavy snow was expected tomorrow (Thursday), with temperatures taking a further dip.

And Helen Chivers, spokesman for the Met Office, said: "This further snowfall, on top of what has already fallen, will cause further disruption. Some areas which have already had a lot of snow could see a further five or six inches.

"With these conditions our advice to people is that if their journey isn’t essential then don’t venture out."