Team’s gritty determination

THE snow wasn’t bad news for everyone: (l-r) Ella Highton (5) and Maddison Highton (4) and Eloise Mae-Henry (6), built their snowmen in Uppermill.

Oldham’s highway teams were praised for keeping key routes open during a weekend of snow, freezing fog, sub-zero temperatures and ice.

Crews worked round the clock on trans-Pennine routes to ensure vital roads remained open.

The team - 10 men and two women - worked continuous shifts from Thursday night. Additional teams, armed with shovels, brushes and wheelbarrows, kept pavements across the borough district centres clear of snow and ice.

Buses were affected for a time early on Saturday with First Manchester unable to serve Oldham town centre due to road closures due to snow and ice.