Schools closed by snow

Motorists are being warned to travel very carefully this morning as heavy snow tightens its grip on the main routes.

All of the Island's bus services have been suspended until further notice, and the Department of Education has taken the decision not to open the schools, in deteriorating conditions.

King William's College, the Buchan School and the Isle of Man College will also remain closed.

The Steam Packet Company delayed its 8.45am sailing to Heysham and said it would wait for some passengers although that delay will not be lengthy.

Flights to Liverpool and Manchester face delays after both of those airports closed until further notice, although Ronaldsway remains open for business.

There will be no bin collections in Douglas today and the Eastern Civic Amenity Site is also shut.

The Mountain Road has been closed since shortly before 5am, although it may reopen later in the day.

Department of Transport gritters are out in force, and police are urging motorists who have to abandon vehicles to try and leave them in sensible positions.

Earlier, the emergency services said there were black ice patches on the Douglas to Ramsey Coast Road, at the Quarterbridge Roundabout and Hillberry, as well as Avondale Road in Onchan.

Kewaigue Hill was closed between the Fort Island Roundabout and the Old Castletown Road and there were unconfirmed reports of road closures elsewhere around the Island.

The Manx Blind Welfare Society says its social groups are cancelled, and the Manx Foundation for the Physically Disabled says its services are suspended.

Canford Nursery and the Pulrose Methodist Playgroup are both closed.

Robert Crowe is the bus service's Transport Duty Manager for at Ramsey: