Snow made road conditions difficult across much of Sussex

Five ambulance service emergency vehicles had to battle through the snow to reach the scene of the crash on the A259 at East Dean, near Eastbourne.

The road was closed after the double-decker bus collided with a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

A Sussex Ambulance spokesman said five men and a woman were treated at the scene after the crash.

The spokesman said the patients were transferred to Eastbourne District General Hospital after the crash, which happened at about 1600 GMT.

Gritting machines

Their injuries are not believed to be serious.

Six remaining passengers on the bus were taken to Eastbourne, the original destination of the bus.

The ambulance spokesman said: "I would like to thank the operators of the gritting machines who, despite the extreme conditions, were able to grit the road enough that our vehicles were able to access and leave the scene."

More than 30 schools in East Sussex were closed on Thursday due to staff and pupils being unable to travel.

Weather forecasters said the temperatures could be as cold as minus six on Thursday night, with freezing temperatures expected to continue into Friday with more snow showers also predicted.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "All road users are asked to check the weather forecast and road conditions before they set out.

"In severe weather, delaying a journey by a few hours could make the difference between a completed trip and a difficult drive in poor conditions."

South Eastern Trains said all services were running but said there were 30 minute delays across the network.