Winter weather closes schools

Snow, ice and heating breakdowns were among the problems that led to decisions by secondary and primary school head teachers to keep the school gates closed.

Welshpool, Newtown and Llanfyllin High Schools remained shut as did secondary schools in Llanfair Caereinion, Llanindloes and others further south.

There were 28 primary schools closed across the region, both in town and in villages and more rural communities while five special schools and pupil referral units were also hit.

The primary schools includes the Welsh medium school in Welshpool which is still affected by a boiler breakdown. Last week the school's head encourage pupils to still come into school dressed in warm layers.

Welsh schools break up for Easter this weekend and one tourist attraction is pulling out all the stops to be able to offer a special, Easter bunny attraction.

The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway opens its eight mile track for its 55th season as a heritage line on March 24.

The major task completed has been the relaying of a section of track leading out of Welshpool Raven Square, the largely volunteer track gang working in the worst of the winter weather including the snow.

Andrew Charman for the railway said: "One of the gang’s final tasks before the line is declared fit for traffic is to dig away remaining snow for drifts from the original snowfall and now the new fall."

He said that at Llanfair Caereinion just as much effort has been expended in the mechanical engineering workshop, carrying out essential winter maintenance on the three operating steam locomotives while also continuing the restoration of loco no 10 ‘Sir Drefaldwyn.’

"There is always much to do in the workshop and the railway would particularly welcome new volunteers with skills in this area."

The first train of the new main season leaves Llanfair Caereinion at 10am on March 24.

Easter bunny services will run from March 31 to April 2 with free eggs for children.