SNOWSTORMS left roads blocked, drivers stranded and schools shut last week, with the Met Office issuing amber alerts - signalling dangerous weather - for Yate and Sodbury.

Dubbed the “Beast from the East”, the Siberian cold front brought a mixture of fun and frustration to residents, with some embracing the opportunity to go sledging, build snowmen and throw snowballs.

For others, the combination of travel chaos, broken boilers and depleted supermarket shelves, amidst plummeting temperatures, was a little wearing.

But the adverse conditions brought out the best in people too, with many reports of selfless acts of kindness and generosity.

A small army of Good Samaritans went the extra mile, helping family, friends, neighbours and strangers alike. 

For more snow stories see this week's Gazette.