THERE were four foot snowdrifts blocking the A35, powercuts and abandoned cars littering the highway when Emma Good went into labour 18 years ago.

The birth of Sophie Louise on February 6, 1996, pictured right, was nothing if not dramatic with her planned labour in Dorchester Hospital made impossible by the snow.

So a call to the police and prompt action by Dorset County Council saw her ambulance escorted all the way to Yeovil Hospital by a snowplough driven by Mark Brabant and Richard Oxenbury, who reported visibility down to just a few yards.

Mrs Good said: “It’s the last time I can remember Bridport having a significant amount of snow. I went into labour on the morning of February 6.

“The only way they could get me to hospital was the snow plough. The nearest place to get me to was Yeovil.

“At the time it made quite big news The papers were calling Sophie the snow princess.

“When the local television crew came round to the house the boys, Ashley, who was five and Toby three, thought that was fun.

“All sorts of reporters were on the phone to the hospital – I think Yeovil was getting a little bit annoyed.”

There was no chance the community midwife could help – she was diverted to a Beaminster mum in labour, who had to give birth to her son at home .

The snow caused chaos with homes left without power for days, motorists stranded – The Travellers Rest near Askerswell put up 40 in one night - and snow ploughs were hindered from clearing the roads by the amount of abandoned cars.