Snow disruption 'set to continue'

Up to 70 schools were closed across Kent - one pupil built a 9ft snowman

Forecasts of more snow across Kent overnight have been made after after winter weather caused a day of disruption across the county.

Snowfall disrupted rail services and motorway traffic on Wednesday and led to the closure of more than 70 schools.

As more snow was predicted on Wednesday night, police urged motorists to drive only if necessary.

Fire crews who rescued two teenagers stranded on a frozen pond reminded people not to walk or stand on ice.

Emergency teams were called to help the pair at about 2230 GMT on Tuesday.

The two youths had walked across frozen water on a pond in Southborough, but the ice started to crack and they could not make their way back.

Watch manager Joe Luque said: "Those concerned no doubt didn't realise how treacherous this adventure was, but it is a salient reminder to take real caution in these conditions.

"Ice is very hard to judge, it may look safe but it isn't, so don't attempt to walk or stand on it."

Snow ploughs cleared the carriageway of the M20 near Ashford

Ch Insp Andy Reeves also warned drivers about using icy roads.

He said: "Driving in snow and on icy roads is very difficult, even for experienced drivers.

"Tyres can lose traction when the road surface is wet or icy, which can result in skidding and a loss of control of the vehicle."

On Wednesday afternoon, deep snow closed lanes on the M20 and M25 in Kent, and Southeastern and Southern rail operators were running restricted services.

Southeastern said it would also be running a revised timetable on Thursday, but high speed services would run as normal and Southeastern passengers could use those services for no extra cost.

More than 70 schools in the Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells, Dartford, Gravesend and Maidstone areas were closed.

South East Coast Ambulance Service warned that it would struggle to reach patients with minor injuries because of treacherous road conditions.