Snow forces several schools to shut

Consett Junior School has been forced to close

Several schools have been forced to shut because of heavy snow.

About 16 in County Durham, including Consett Infant School and one in Northumberland, have been unable to open due to adverse weather.

Durham County Council said it expected schools to reopen on Tuesday.

Hexham Priory School, said in a social media post, it had been forced to close as several staff had been unable to get into work.

Durham County Council said the following schools were shut:

• Beechdale Nursery School

• Benfieldside Primary School

• Bishop Ian Ramsey CofE Primary School

• Castleside Primary School

• Consett Infant School

• Consett Junior School

• Delves Lane Primary School

• Lanchester EP Primary School

• Leadgate Primary School

• Moorside Primary Academy

• Shotley Bridge Primary School

• St Marys Catholic Primary School Consett

• St Patricks Catholic Primary School Consett

• Stanley Crook Primary School

• The Grove Primary School

• Tow Law Millennium Primary School

Meanwhile, the A66 was closed in both directions between the A1M (J53) and the M6 (J40) at Penrith on Saturday night due to the weather.

National Highways said drivers should check traffic and weather conditions before travelling.

It said more snow had fallen on the road overnight and that the route would be shut until at least the early afternoon.

Commuters are also being urged to consider alternative routes across the Pennines, a spokesperson said.