Rural schools in Shropshire have been advised to close early today with snow and severe weather forecast to hit the region this afternoon.
Shropshire County Council issued the guidance to headteachers in a bid to avoid traffic problems and long delays in children getting home.
A spokesman for the authority said: "We have issued the advice based on the latest Met Office which is that there is a 60 per cent forecast of snow this afternoon.
"In rural areas recent experience has showing because a high proportion of children get to school by bus or car, heads should be considering whether to close their school early."
Birmingham City Council last year also advised schools to close early ahead of predicted heavy snow. A spokesman for the authority said this morning there were no plans to do the same this time.
