Schools were closed, offices shut and cars abandoned at roadsides as the snow swept into the Forest in the early hours of Friday morning, as widely predicted.

The snow did not start falling heavily until around 5am this morning but there was chaos by the rush hour.

The snow is expected to continue until mid-afternoon.

Highways teams have been out in force but the County Council has advised people to avoid a number of roads, including the A4151 route into Cinderford via Littledean. The A48 at Alvington has been closed.

All schools in the district are closed, although Wyedean School is open for public exams only. Dene Magna School says it will rearrange internal Year 11 exams.

Jason Humm, Highways area manager, said: "We are working hard to keep the county moving, but the advice is not to start a journey unless it is absolutely necessary.

"Teams will be out 24 hours a day over the weekend, treating the major roads in the county. However, parts of the network could be very icy and extreme caution is needed.

"We have more than 100 salt hand-spreaders and 5,500 bags of salt out in the communities to keep grit bins filled. Grit bins are provided in rural or problem areas, like steep hills or bends, for local people to treat the roads and pavements themselves - this salt is for highways and not for private use."

Councillor Will Windsor-Clive, cabinet member for communities, said: "Just because the weather is severe it doesn't mean that the county has come to a halt. All services are working hard to make sure residents are safe and that communities are kept informed.

"It is important that residents look out for each other during this period of wintry weather and that drivers only take to the roads if they really have to."