Light snow just south of Cleobury Mortimer on the Tenbury Road.

A special 40-page guide documenting the effects of Shropshire’s coldest winter in 30 years is now on sale.

The Big Freeze, produced by the Shropshire Star, is a fully illustrated publication packed with stunning snow pictures which show what happened when Arctic conditions gripped the whole of the county and transformed the landscape into a winter wonderland.

Beneath a blanket of snow and ice, familiar landmarks are depicted in their renewed glory, while ancient settlements are revealed in a fresh perspective.

The effect of the freeze on Shropshire people is captured in dramatic photographs which show cars overturned and towns left eerily deserted by the cold snap.

The Big Freeze also charts the triumphant spirit of county folk with people pulling together through acts of kindness and helpfulness to ensure that life continued as normal as possible.

As usual, rural parts were worst hit with many country lanes left treacherous and impassable. Dozens of schools were closed and classrooms stood empty as children took to the great white outdoors.

Indeed, while the conditions brought misery and mayhem to some, to others the arrival of the white stuff meant only one thing – snowbusiness.

In our glossy guide, families are pictured enjoying the best sledging weather in a generation – and being inventive in their choices of improvised modes of transport, with even deflated paddling pools used to traverse the Shropshire hills.

The appearance of snow brought more fun as ingeniously-sculpted snowmen began to spring up on the landscape. And for some youngsters it was the first time many had tried their hands at making snowballs.

Shropshire Star journalist Toby Neal, who compiled The Big Freeze, said: “This magical white carpet makes even the most unprepossessing townscapes and landscapes romantic and picturesque. And for children, the world becomes a big playground.”

The Big Freeze is available in selected newsagents from today priced £1.

By Ben Bentley

The Big Freeze is for sale, priced at £1, from Shropshire Star offices in Telford, Shrewsbury, Newport, Bridgnorth, Oswestry and Ludlow, and selected news outlets across Shropshire and Mid Wales.