AROUND two years ago, much of the UK, including Worcestershire, was hit by a snow storm dubbed Beast from the East.

Hostels in the city were at maximum capacity due to the number of rough sleepers who found shelter from freezing temperatures. Persistent snow and freezing temperatures brought disruption to Worcestershire’s schools and roads. Many schools were forced to close due to the freezing temperatures. Maggs Day Centre hosted a night shelter and it ran out of beds on three nights at one point. St Paul’s Hostel, in Tallow Hill, Worcester, had been full apart from on two days - since the end of October .

Jonathan Sutton, chief executive of St Paul’s Hostel, said at the time: “This is an extreme weather condition. “It’s the worst winter in my memory.

"The demand and the pressure it’s placing on us is the worst I’ve seen. “If homelessness is to continue to rise as reports say it will - over five to 10 years - how are we going to cope with another event like this? Demand will outstrip supply.”

Warnings were issued about dangerous driving conditions from the police who attended an incident in which one car came off the road in Cowleigh Road on the Malvern Hills, and ended up on a rock.

An amber snow warning was issued by the Met Office and there was severe travel disruption.

The Met Office said at the time: “Long delays and cancellations of public transport seem very likely .

“Some roads may become blocked by deep snow, stranding vehicles and passengers. Long interruptions to power supplies and other utilities are likely to occur.”

Temperatures struggled to get above -1C, and at times, felt like -10C due to the wind chill factor.