SNOW caused school closures and road chaos across the county with more severe weather forecast over the coming days.

Yesterday’s 10cm of snow in areas meant this has become the snowiest December since 1978 with a total of 35 schools closed across the county.

The snow first arrived just before dawn yesterday as Dorset County Council’s gritting lorries were fitted with snow ploughs to clear the roads.

The grit had been spread on to the major routes at 4am but the Puddletown bypass – covered by the Highways Agency – was reduced to 10mph and one lane for spells during the morning.

Drivers using the A354 Dorchester Road told police the surface on the Ridgeway was treacherous as the sun came up and journeys in and out of Weymouth were taking up to an hour longer in the slow traffic.

Travellers on their way between Weymouth and Bridport reported travel times of two hours.

The police reported crashes where cars lost traction on the ice including one vehicle on the roundabout off the Dorchester bypass which leads to Blandford or Puddletown.

Rural routes including the C12 Old Sherborne Road became treacherous and lorries which lost grip blocked the A37 when they became stranded.

And the B3157 between Weymouth and Bridport was also reported to police as being treacherous at the start of rush hour.

Most of the schools that shut were closed all day although some of them sent children home later.

Retiring head teacher Ian Melvin’s last act at the Thomas Hardye School was to declare the school shut yesterday morning.

A second heavy snow shower later in the day caused more problems on the roads.

The county council sent its salting fleet out again at midday to salt its 680-mile winter network.

Drivers reported that Coombe Valley Road was impassable due to ice in the afternoon, Heavy snow was expected last night and during most of today with temperatures unlikely to rise above freezing.

The county council’s fleet of 26 gritting lorries are on 24-hour standby to either grit the road or plough the snow clear.

Weymouth Magistrates Court was closed at lunch time due to fears of more snow and civilian staff at Dorset Police headquarters in Winfrith were advised to leave at 3pm.

A further snow fall at the end of the working day hindered more drivers on their way home and the police told people no to take to the road in West Dorset ‘unless absolutely necessary’.

A Dorset County Council spokesman issued the same warning.

He said: "Early yesterday morning saw the western half of Dorset coated by a 10cm blanket of snow in the space of an hour.

“Driving conditions were difficult as snow settled on top of salted roads but gritters worked continuously to plough and salt the worst affected routes, including the A37, A354 and C12. All main roads were clear by mid morning.

“Further snow flurries - some of them heavy - arrived later in the morning and mostly cleared during the afternoon.

“The county council sent its salting fleet out again at midday to salt its 680-mile winter network.”

Traders were biting their nails ahead of what is traditionally their busiest weekend of the year.

Phil Gordon, project director of Dorchester BID, said although the snow was worrying he hopes that shoppers will show ‘the spirit of the blitz’ and come out to their local shops.

“I think a lot of people have left their shopping until the last minute.

“A lot of people will be waiting for deliveries and will be buying emergency presents to make sure their children have something to open on Christmas day.

“The public may realise a short trip into Dorchester is achievable instead of spending a longer trip out of town.”

Dennis Spurr, owner of the Fantastic Sausage Factory, said he has had a record sales year and is hoping for more of the same.

He said: “The snow will keep shoppers local as they are not going to go to Poole or anywhere like that.”

But Jeremy Peel-Yates, owner of Tans Unlimited in Weymouth, said he noticed town being quieter yesterday.

He said: “I think it’s going to put people off this weekend.

“It’s been quite dead as Friday is normally a fairly good day and I think it’s going to affect the town centre tomorrow.”