HEAVY snow storms across East Lancashire brought disruption to the areas schools and roads -- but police praised motorists for their careful driving.

Children were sent home for the day, some roads were impassable and rail services were badly delayed after an icy night and an hour of snow early yesterday.

At Blackburn's new train station a freezing set of points meant services were delayed for more than an hour.

Many main roads were gridlocked as workers attempted to get to work after the burst of snow between 7am and 8am.

Queues on the M65 were also heavy.

But traffic police in Eastern Division, which covers Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley said there had been no increase in the number of accidents and drivers had reacted well to the conditions.

In Blackburn, Newfield School and Broadland School in Roman Road, Fernhurst School, Lammack, Our Lady and St John in North Road, Shadsworth and St Stephen's Junior School, Little Harwood were closed all day.

St Andrews in Oswaldtwistle, Barden Junior School, Burnley, Withnell Fold Primary School, Chorley, Mayfield Special School, Chorley also experienced problems

Blackburn College was closed for usual business except for students who had exams while St Bede's in Blackburn was closed in the morning.

It took drivers one hour and 45 minutes to travel to Blackburn from Darwen as the snow caused jams.

Weathermen said yesterday's wintry showers should die out today and it should remain fine inland, with temperatures climbing slowly.