Cold weather closes 300 schools as snow turns to ice

More than 300 schools across Wales have been closed after heavy snowfall at the weekend was followed by a cold snap.

Temperatures in some areas fell to -12C (10F), making it the coldest day December since 2010.

A Met Office yellow "be aware" warning for ice is in place until 11:00 GMT on Wednesday, with untreated roads and pavements potentially hazardous.

Council gritters have been out trying to keep roads open, but more disruption has hit the roads.

Overnight, temperatures plummeted to -10C (14F) in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, followed by -12C (10F) in St Harmon at about 07:45.

Arriva Trains Wales said the line between Llanelli and Craven Arms would be closed throughout Tuesday due to "multiple incidents of fallen trees or overhanging branches".

In Phillipstown, Caerphilly county, vandals threw a brick at the window of a gritting lorry as it was clearing the streets on Sunday night

Caerphilly council said Gwent Police had been informed after the windscreen was cracked.

Currently, 320 schools have said they would not open on Tuesday.

Powys is the hardest hit with 84 closures, but Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Torfaen and Wrexham are all affected.

Meanwhile, a man had to be airlifted to hospital on Monday night after falling 80ft (25m) from a ridge on Snowdon.

He suffered back, leg and head injuries after the plunge on Crib y Ddysgl.

Rhondda Cynon Taf council has been working to clear Bwlch Mountain road, which remains closed after salt was "ineffective at such low temperatures".

Rhigos Mountain road has reopened after an earlier closure.

On Monday 600 schools closed their doors and about 500 homes were left without power.

Details of any school closures are available on council websites.