Schools closed as cold continues

Many minor roads in Devon have turned into an ice-rink

More than 200 schools are closed again across Devon as snow turning into ice has caused treacherous conditions for road users.

There is no school transport until further notice in Devon where temperatures plunged to -12C (10F).

The local economy is losing £10m a day, say businesses, as an estimated one tenth of the workforce stays at home.

Farmers are throwing away thousands of gallons of milk because lorries cannot make it down iced-up minor roads.

More snow

Hospitals are struggling to cope with an increase in accidents from people falling over on the ice and an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.

Plymouth accident patients are being advised to go to Devonport's Cumberland Centre Minor Injuries Unit if possible to ease pressure on Derriford Hospital's casualty department.

The A361 North Devon Link Road is passable with care. All roads in the east of the county remain challenging, even on some of the major roads.

Highways officials warned there would be little improvement on minor roads and there remained major problems across Dartmoor and Exmoor.

First Great Western and South West Trains are running revised timetables and flights from Plymouth and Newquay airports have been disrupted. Exeter Airport now says flights are running to time.

Exeter Cathedral: More freezing weather is forecast

Bus services in north Devon, Plymouth and south Devon are now back in action, although there is some disruption.

Temperatures are expected to just creep above freezing with the forecast of more freezing weather and some snow over the weekend.

Jeremy Filmer-Bennett, chief executive of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council, told BBC News: "The weather has been disastrous for businesses.

"£10m a day losses is probably a conservative estimate.

"We have plenty of examples of businesses where staff cannot get in so it really is a major financial hit.

"And parents of children who cannot get into work because of childcare issues are customers and workers.

"Businesses cannot do much about it."

Farmer Gladys Crossman from Plush Hay Farm, near Tiverton, was forced to throw away 4,000 litres of milk on Wednesday and another 4,000 litres on Thursday, worth about £500 a day, because collections have been abandoned in the snow and ice.

She is insured for a week, but said "it's a lot of work for nothing".

Mrs Crossman said: "We have a very steep lane so if the collection lorry came in it wouldn't get out.

"Years ago we were allowed to take the milk out to the tanker but we are not allowed to do that any more because of health reasons."

She is hoping collections will resume in two days.

Plymouth Ski Centre at Marsh Mills was forced to close on Wednesday due to the icy conditions.