So you think this year is bad . . ?

IN two of Oldham’s severest winters in living memory — 1947 and 1979 — cars were buried, roads disappeared under drifts and even the M62 was closed.

Only two years after the Second World War ended, Oldham was gripped by harsh blizzards which started late in the winter.

The winds blew relentless snow from the east and continued for days, leaving snowdrifts up to 14ft high in places.

Even when the snow had stopped, the strong winds drifted the fine snow back on to locals digging them out.

In places like Saddleworth, the snow rested in the shelter of walls well into May.

And the snow came back with a vengeance in 1979 closing the M62 motorway and leaving exposed roads passable only by 4x4 vehicles.