Big chill continues – in pictures : Shropshire Star:

Shropshire and Mid Wales are in the grip of the worst cold snap since 1996 with the whole region shivering in Arctic temperatures.

Thermometers in much of the area never got above freezing yesterday following early morning figures of -11C (12F) , making Shropshire one of the coldest spots in Britain.

From the Ironbridge Gorge to the 240ft high Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall, near Llanrhaeadr, the highest waterfall in England and Wales, the frozen landscape looked more like Lapland than the UK, while in central London, shivering tourists witnessed the unusual sight of the fountains in Trafalgar Square frozen.

See our photo gallery below

After a hard frost yesterday evening, things warmed up slightly in Shropshire last night as clouds moved in to replace the clear skies.

In Telford, Redhill Primary School, in Priorslee, remained closed today because work to its boiler has not yet been completed, while Wrockwardine Wood Junior School was due to reopen today after checks to its boiler.

Buntingsdale Infants School, near Market Drayton, and Stiperstones Primary School, near Shrewsbury, were both closed today because of heating problems.

Shropshire County Council said Church Preen Primary School, near Church Stretton, had reopened after it was closed yesterday due to dangerously frozen roads.

Many events in Shropshire have been affected, including a 30th anniversary party for Bishop’s Castle Film Society. It was due to be held at the Three Tuns on January 17 but organisers have cancelled due to poor ticket sales, largely blamed on the weather.

Two holidaymakers have spent more time than expected in Market Drayton after their canal boat became marooned in ice. Joan and Peter Owen were heading for Chester on a cruise which was meant to last until Friday but were unable to depart along the Shropshire Union Canal yesterday because the water froze overnight. But the couple, who live in Somerset, said they were determined the minor setback would not ruin their break and they were content to wait until the ice starts to thaw.

Both Wrockwardine Wood and Albrighton bowling clubs, from the Mid Shropshire League, have suffered damaged pavilions due to frozen pipes bursting.

Meanwhile, two Telford women have offered to help out dogs shivering in the cold snap.

Lisa and Laura Bicknell, of Ketley Bank, are appealing for people to donate bedding, newspapers, cardboard and food.

They will collect it by van and deliver it to dogs’ homes at Grinshill and Hibrae. Call (01952) 610162 for details.

People are being warned to stay off frozen lakes, rivers, canals or ponds after several youngsters in Shrewsbury were given strong advice from police about playing on the ice.

Officers were called to Radbrook Pool in Bank Farm Road on at least two occasions yesterday following reports there were youngsters out on the ice. Nine young people were spoken to between 4pm and 5pm.

Officers were called out again at about 5.20pm.

Chief Inspector Martin Whitelegg said: “There is no way of knowing just how thick or stable any ice is or whether it is strong enough to take your weight. If the ice gives way and you fall in, with temperatures so low it could prove fatal. Our message is simple – stay off any frozen body of water for your own safety.”

A man was killed when his car crashed down an embankment on the A299 near Faversham in Kent this morning. A spokeswoman for Kent Police said it was not known whether ice had caused the accident.

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