Wales weather: Schools and roads shut as snow sweeps in

A fallen tree in the snow makes driving extra hazardous in Holywell, Flintshire

Nearly 200 schools and scores of roads have been closed by snow and high winds in mid and north Wales.

North east Wales is hardest hit, with up to 25cm (10in) of snow, and falls also in Gwynedd, Conwy and north Powys.

Mold Crown Court and the magistrates courts are both closed and bus and train services are affected.

All outpatients clinics were cancelled at Wrexham Maelor hospital because of difficult driving conditions.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board apologised and said patients would be contacted for another appointment.

A lorry was blown over into the central reservation in high winds on the A55 westbound between Abergwyngregyn and Talybont, Bangor.

Bus operators GHA Coaches Ltd and Arriva buses said some routes were affected due to the snow.

Friday's 09:00 GMT Stena Line service between Rosslare and Fishguard was cancelled, and delays were reported on the Holyhead to Dublin route.

Virgin Trains said the line was blocked between Flint and Chester due to a National Grid power cable coming down on the railway.

Most of the 89 schools in Flintshire are closed, with 25 in Wrexham, 10 in Powys and five in Denbighshire.

Glyndwr University closed its Wrexham and Northop campuses, and Deeside college also shut.

A spokesperson for Denbighshire council said: "There are reports of up to 25cm (10in) of level snow in some parts and deep drifts in many places.

"Crews have been out all night and will continue throughout the day. One of the main problems is fallen trees, and additional contractors have been deployed."

Conwy council also had gritting teams out overnight with all trunk and Class 1 roads remaining open. The worst affected area is inland and east of Conwy, with up to 10cm (4in) of snow.

Flintshire council has also suspended waste and recycling collections for Friday.

BBC Wales' Rob Thomas said conditions on the top of Rhuallt Hill in Rhuallt, Denbighshire, were very difficult but he managed to drive 18 miles (29 km) to Mold.

"The last couple of miles were particularly difficult, and I can see an articulated truck struggling to get up a small incline."

Forecasters say north east and mid Wales will continue to be hit by snow over the next 24 hours, but the south west could also see rain turn to snow later.

The Met Office is warning of persistent rain for parts of south and west Wales, with 30-50mm (1.2-2in) possible by the end of the day.