Snowfall causes major power cuts

Up to 4,000 properties in Shropshire were left without electricity after several inches of snow fell across the county.

Central Networks said engineers had worked through Sunday night to try and reconnect supplies.

A spokeswoman said snow on overhead lines caused the outages on Monday, with some cables brought down.

Fallen branches had also partially blocked sections of the A4117 between Ludlow and Bewdley at about 0600 GMT.

Driving problems

Deanna Mooney, Central Networks spokeswoman, said at about 0730 GMT: "We have got approximately 3,000 to 4,000 people off (in Shropshire) at the moment.

"They are all weather-related and most are due to snow on overhead lines."

By 0900 GMT about 700 properties in south Shropshire were still without power.

BBC journalist Richard Uridge said he had encountered problems driving from Ludlow to Worcestershire on the A4117.

Replacement buses

"If it doesn't thaw quickly I reckon there will be some quite serious problems there as we go through the rush hour, simply because of the wet and heavy snow," he said.

A train travelling along the Heart of Wales Line from Shrewsbury was stuck as a tree had fallen onto the line near Knucklas, in Powys.

Eryl Jones, Arriva Trains Wales spokesman, said replacement buses were also delayed because of problems getting coaches.

Bitterley Primary School, near Ludlow, Bicton Primary School, near Shrewsbury, and Springfield Infants School, St Marys Primary School and Martin Wilson Primary School, all in Shrewsbury, were closed on Monday because of heating problems.