SNOW caused chaos across the county as schools were closed and the Army was drafted in to help NHS staff get to work..

The Army was called after NHS staff were caught up in the problems caused by The Beast from the East.

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said: “I want to thank the Army - in certain parts of the country where they have helped to get our staff into work, we have seen that in the South West and parts of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Lincolnshire.”

Snow drifts of up to 10 ft were seen on the roads, causing Martley Road between Martley and Great Witley to reduce to one lane whilst Hill Furze Road in Bishampton was also blocked by drifting snow.

Five cars in Doverdale Lane, near Hampton Lovett Industrial Estate, Droitwich were stuck, causing long traffic build-ups and a coach briefly broke down in Newtown Road, Worcester.

Police forces warned drivers to only travel if it was essential, emphasising that motorists should leave extra distance from cars in front.

Many schools were closed for the whole of Friday after closing at lunchtime on Thursday.

St Richard’s Hospice was forced to ask 4x4 drivers to help get their staff to work.

The response was swift and staff were able to get to work.

District nurses in South Worcestershire also put out a call for 4x4 drivers to help them get to patients.

Train and bus services were cancelled or heavily delayed as Friday travel plans were ruined by the Beast from the East.

There was a risk of residents being stuck in Birmingham, with West Midlands Trains reporting that the service to Worcester might stop at 5pm on Friday.

Worcester City Council worked tirelessly to make the High Street and surrounding areas easier for pedestrians to negotiate.

Gritters were out in force on well-used city roads and walkways.

Elsewhere, snow angels across the county were hailed by residents.

Dennis Morris, aged 88 was praised by his neighbour for clearing roads in St Peter’s.

Caitlin O’Callaghan said: “My neighbour is our snow angel. He’s cleared the whole path this morning, last time it snowed he cleared the road, this is after he had done his morning paper delivery to our other neighbour.”

People of all ages helped to clear away snow as 90-year-old Alex Abbott, a porter at Evesham Community Hospital helped to clear paths for patient access.

Police in Malvern went to visit a 97-year-old whose carers could not reach her and made her a hot drink in one of many shows of kindness to come out of the snow day.

Whilst the snow caused chaos for many, others took advantage of a day off to celebrate with their children or even pets.

Social media was full of pictures of children having fun in the snow, building snowmen, going sledging or throwing snowballs.

Pets were also photographed throughout the day enjoying, or in other cases despising the weather.

As the Worcester News went to press, the snow was getting heavier, with the heaviest of the snow expected to arrive by 8pm on Friday.