TEN primary schools in the Tavistock area were closed after many roads were impassable due to the sudden, heavy snowfall overnight last Thursday and Friday.

Around eight to 12 inches of snow fell, causing a number of road closures, including the A386 between Sourton Cross and Tavistock, and the A388 from Callington to Launceston.

The advice from police on Friday was to not travel unless it was essential, so many schools kept their doors closed.

Those closed were Gulworthy Primary School, Lady Modiford's Primary School in Walkhampton, Lewtrenchard Primary School, Lifton Primary School, Lydford Primary School, Mary Tavy and Brentor Primary School, Meavy Primary School, Milton Abbot Primary School, Princetown Primary School, and St Peter's Junior School in Tavistock.

The snow started falling at around 9pm on Thursday, causing many vehicles to become trapped in the hours that followed, with several cars being abandoned.

Firefighters were called to a moorland road near Dousland last Thursday evening after an elderly man had become stuck in a snow drift.

One fire crew from Yelverton, fitted with snow chains, and a four-wheel drive vehicle from Tavistock attended to assist the stranded motorist just before 11.20pm.

The elderly man, who was trying to dig his car out of the snow, had to be rescued by firefighters. He was then taken to safety.

Despite the road warnings on Friday by police, people decided to flock to Burrator Reservoir in order to play in the snow — causing traffic to stand still.

Traffic was parked solidly along the approach road, resulting in vehicles only able to go in one direction while other cars struggled to get up some hills, causing queues.