THE HEAVY snow caused schools across Weymouth and Dorset to close their doors yesterday.

Children all over the county took to their sledges and played in the four inches of snow in fields and back gardens.

But parents were left in limbo after a newly launched website function to allow schools to announce school closures crashed for two hours between 8am and 10am.

Nearly all the schools closed in Weymouth, Dorchester and Portland except three – Thornlow Prep School, Sunninghill Prep School and Radipole First School – which all managed to stay open all day.

Headmaster Rupert Fowke, of Thornlow School was pleased to stay open with almost 75 per cent of his pupils turning up.

She said: “Most of the staff live locally so for us it’s lessons as usual.”

Sunninghill Prep School in Dorchester also stayed open although only 20 of the 150 pupils showed up and were allowed to enjoy playing in the snow and making snowmen. In the afternoon the children took part in IT lessons to stay warm in their classrooms.

Despite opening in the morning Royal Manor Arts College and Community School closed at 11pm due to treacherous road conditions outside the school.

Headteacher Paul Green said: “The majority of staff were able to get in so we opened but we were very concerned about the icy conditions on the hill.”

Radipole School headteacher Veronique Singer, said: “We had nearly all the teachers in today and more than half the children.

“We made sure the children had fun and enjoyed the snow – but safely.”

A county council spokesperson said there was a team working on the technical problems to stop the problem reoccurring.

He said: “Due to the large amount of traffic the website did go down but it was the first time it was used .”

Parents are advised to check the website www.dorsetforyou. com/closedschools this morning to see if their children’s schools are closed.