SNOWFALL and freezing temperatures caused havoc across the county yesterday with a dramatic rise in road accidents and the closures of schools, libraries, day care services and adult learning classes.

And the forecast is for more snow in the coming days.

There were more than 200 incidents on Dorset’s roads as the weather conditions resulted in treacherous conditions.

Dorset Police said the vast majority of the incidents were car crashes.

A spokesman said: “All the collisions yesterday were either minor injury or non-injury collisions.”

Two cars were left on their roofs after overturning in separate crashes on the A37 near Dorchester. Neither driver was seriously injured.

The A35 road between Bridport and Dorchester experienced considerable delays due to lorries being unable to climb icy hills.

Around 12 vehicles were involved in four separate crashes on the A351 between Wareham and Corfe Castle.

A car lost control and crashed into a wall, damaging guttering in Princes Street, Dorchester.

‘Go slowly and be late’ was the message from Dorset Police regarding further forecasts of snow.

Hundreds of pupils and teachers enjoyed an unexpected day off due to the closure of at least 61 schools across Dorset.

Manor Park First School in Dorchester was closed when the weather conditions resulted in staff shortages and heating problems.

Headteacher Jane Mockeridge said: “In my many years of working in Dorset I’ve never had to close a school before.

“We had no heating and only a skeleton staff because quite a few come from Blandford, Wareham and Bridport and couldn’t get through.”

She added that decisions on whether the school is closed today would be decided this morning.

Several pupils spent the morning at Manor Park First School before their parents came to pick them up.

Mum Jules Ray, of Fordington, collected her son Christopher, aged five. She said: “It’s lovely to see snow in Dorset, it’s the first time for all my kids.

“I was quite surprised the school shut but it’s nice for the kids to enjoy the snow”

Other closures included Mountjoy School in Bridport, St Nicholas and St Lawrence CE Primary in Weymouth, Parrett and Axe Primary School in Beaminster.

Portesham CE Primary School near Weymouth closed at 1.30pm.

Libraries, day care services and adult learning classes were also affected.

The county’s fleet of gritters spread a blanket of salt prior to the snow on the key roads and repeated this process on priority routes in problem areas yesterday.

Another batch of gritting was scheduled for 9pm last night.

Dorset County Council head of highways, Andy Ackerman, said: “Although there should still be salt on the roads from yesterday’s gritting, crews will be ready this morning to go out again if necessary.

“Our gritting teams work extremely hard in all weathers to make sure people can get to school and work safely.”

By 3pm yesterday 11 day centres, and three libraries were closed.

Mobile library services were cancelled and all of last night’s adult learning classes were postponed.

Swanage Day Centre and Wareham Day Centre will be closed today. Beaminster Technology College and The Sir John Colfox School, Bridport were also expected to be closed today.

Updates on school closures and county gritting activity are available at www.dorsetforyou.com ELDERLY people are being urged to ‘stay in and stay safe’ during icy and snow covered conditions.

Accident and emergency consultant David Cain of Dorset County Hospital has warned elderly people not to risk falls on ice.

Mr Cain said the snowfall had increased their already busy workload at the Dorchester hospital.

He said: “We’re busy anyway at this time of year but there was an increase yesterday morning.”

Mr Cain added that much of the increase was due to pedestrians slipping on ice, although they also treated several car crash victims. SEVERE weather warnings for the South West of England have been issued by the Met Office.

In Dorset there is a 60 per cent risk of disruption from heavy snow.

Periods of snow will continue to extend north-westwards, with heavy falls likely in places. Snow might turn to rain from the east at lower levels but heavy snow is also forecast for Thursday.

Let us know about road and school closures by emailing newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk

Email pictures and videos to picturedesk@dorsetecho.co.uk