SOUTH Gloucestershire woke up to a white world today with snow covering roads, roof-tops and the countryside.

But the region has escaped the chaos that has hit many other parts of the country.

Only two schools in the authority were closed and there have been no major accidents reported by police.

Refuse collections, postal deliveries and the delivery of the Gazette were also unaffected by the heavy snow last night.

Castle School, in Thornbury and Horton Primary School, near Yate look set to reopen tomorrow.

Pupils from the schools have been taking full advantage of their day off by going to nearby playing fields armed with snow-balls and sledges.

LUCKY students in South Gloucestershire swapped reading and writing for sledging and snow ball fights as they took full advantage of the snow outbreak.

Pupils from The Castle School, in Thornbury, and Horton Primary School, near Yate, took to the fields when their schools were shut down for the day.

In Thornbury children gathered on the snow covered Mundy Playing Fields to make the most of the weather.

Castle School students Ella Stenning, 13, Lilly Exell, 12, Bryony Critchley, 12, and Olivia Bailey, 13, enjoyed sliding down the playing field slopes on their plastic sleigh.

They said: "Loads of pupils from school have come down here this morning to play in the snow.

"It is good to have a break from school, being at school while the snow is on the fields would have been rubbish.

"It is just a shame our parents donít have the day off too."

Thornbury parent 40-year-old Tracy Baillie said she was delighted the children had been given the day off.

She said: "It is so nice to see the kids out there enjoying themselves in the snow.

"It is only once or twice a year this happens and we should all take advantage of it."

The Castle School and Horton Primary School were the only two schools in South Gloucestershire to grant their pupils and staff the day off.