As children began returning after the Christmas break the cold snap meant many were sent home with teachers' struggling to make it in.

The icy conditions meant 13 schools across Thorne, Hatfield, Stainforth and Dunsville had to close as temperatures plummeted and the snow continued to fall.

Yesterday as the Thorne Gazette went to press Green Top Primary, King Edward Primary School, Brook Primary and Trinity Academy were all closed.

In Hatfield, Coppice School, Hatfield Travis Nursery, Hatfield Manor C of E Junior, Crookes Broom Primary, Hatfield Visual Arts College, Hatfield Woodhouse Primary School were also closed due to bad weather conditions.

Dunsville Primary School and Longtoft Primary and Kirton Lane Primary, both in Stainforth were also forced to close.

Bin collections were also thrown into chaos with domestic green bin, black bin and green box collections suspended leaving SITA to catch up today, weather permitting.

Bus services were hit at the start of the week but are starting to return to normal.

Libraries in the region were also affected with mobile and travelling libraries unable to go out yesterday and Stainforth Library reamins closed to the public, but is taking calls and receiving books in.

But as drivers and commuters faced misery with icy road conditions in the town children were making the most of the snow with sleighs and snowmen out in force across the town.

Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing today with more light snow forecast tomorrow although conditions are expected to improve by the weekend.

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* Schools closed on Thursday January 7 - Coppice School, Hatfield
Thorne Brook Primary.