PUPILS in Ceredigion will enjoy two days off in the snow after the council advised schools to shut until Monday.

The council said that "a decision has been taken to advise schools to close all day" on Thursday and Friday "for safety reasons due to the weather warnings".

Forecasters are warning of heavy snow and strong winds across the county over the next two days, with temperatures well below freezing.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for snow for the whole of Wales.

The council said it expects all schools to close but added "in line with the responsibilities delegated to head teachers and school governors, any school has the right to remain open, but should only do so after taking full account of the advice noting that no school transport will be provided."

The council will be treating the primary routes across Ceredigion but residents are urged not to travel unless it is deemed necessary.

Non-primary routes are likely to be icy and treacherous to pass.

Cllr Ray Quant, the Cabinet member responsible for technical services, said: “Council staff are continuing with important preparatory work and will work in shift patterns starting at 12am on Thursday morning.

"They will be making every effort to keep Ceredigion moving, but the public are advised to take note of the information that is available to them during weather events such as this when conditions can change quickly.

"If travel is deemed necessary then appropriate caution should be exercised and suitable preparations made.”