Snow closes Guernsey schools for third day

Many roads in the island have been blocked by fallen trees, knocked down by the high winds

All States-run schools in Guernsey will be closed on Wednesday, the Education Department has announced.

All schools closed on Monday, some just hours after opening, and on Tuesday due to heavy snowfall in the island.

Of the private schools, Blanchelande College, Elizabeth College and Ladies' College announced they would be closed.

The head teacher of St Anne's School in Alderney said it would open as normal as long as pupils could travel safely.

He said any change of plan would be communicated to the media by 07:15 GMT.

An Education Department spokeswoman said: "This decision has been taken following advice from the police, States Works and other sources about the state of the roads, pavements and, particularly, dangerous trees and debris still littering most parts of the island

"The weather forecast for tonight is for temperatures to fall to below freezing and so driving conditions are likely to be treacherous, especially in the upper parishes.

"Some more low-lying school sites may be relatively clear tomorrow but the department believes that an early, consistent message out to parents [and] staff is a better solution and will allow all sufficient time to plan."

Teams from the department are due to clear the sites, which at St Andrew's and Vale Primary Schools means removing fallen trees, to allow them to hopefully reopen on Thursday.