THE region was transformed into a beautiful winter wonderland as snow fell for the first time this year.

Drivers struggled to cope with the icy and foggy conditions — but children were out enjoying themselves in their hats and scarves.

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While the wintry conditions made for picturesque scenes across the region, roads and outdoor events continued to suffer.

East Lancashire Hospice’s Great Harwood Sponsored 10K was the biggest event to fall foul of the weather.

The fundraiser, which was due to start at 11am yesterday, was called off by organisers at 8.20am after an inspection of the course.

The hospice, which arranged the event in conjunction with Trawden Athletics Club and Gaskell Motor Bodies, said it hoped to re-arrange the race for another date.

Rossendale was also badly affected, with bus operator Rosso suspending several routes on Saturday afternoon. Services were diverted in Whitworth, Edgeside, Ramsbottom, Stacksteads and Bacup.

Also in Bacup, a woman was taken to hospital after suffering a suspected broken ankle after she fell on a path off Rochdale Road at 11.20am on Saturday.

Chris Howarth, from Bacup fire station, said: “The fire service were called to an incident where a lady had slipped in the snow hurting her ankle. The lady had been on the floor in the snow for about 20 minutes before receiving help from her family.

“Fire crews provided the lady with oxygen therapy and kept her warm until the arrival of the ambulance service. The lady was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital with a suspected broken or sprained ankle.”