SERVICES and events in Aberystwyth have been hit by the freezing weather, with cancellations and closures throughout the town.

Aberystwyth Farmers Market has announced that the planned market on Saturday is cancelled due to the predicted weather forecast of ice and wind gusts exceeding 30mph for this weekend.

A Lions’ Club charity concert at Aberystwyth Arts Centre has been cancelled, while the Citizens Advice Bureau office was closed today.

A Welsh Blood Service donation session in Aberystwyth planned for this afternoon was also cancelled.

An Applicant Visiting Day at Aberystwyth University on Saturday has also been postponed due to the adverse weather conditions.

All schools in the county are closed along with day care centres today and tomorrow. Waste collection services have also been suspended.

The Vale of Rheidol Railway has said that "all trains" are cancelled this weekend "owing to poor weather and frozen water supplies".

And Bill Kelly, chief operating officer for Network Rail, and Bethan Jelfs, customer services director for Arriva Trains Wales, said Arriva Trains services face disruption and advised people to travel only if absolutely necessary.

“The safety of our customers and staff is a key priority, and with the extreme weather warning extended to red across south-west England and Wales, we are expecting a considerable increase in disruption to services across the majority of our network from midday today," they said today.

“Our teams are working tirelessly to prepare for the challenging weather conditions and keep services running, but we are asking people to travel only if absolutely necessary.

"We expect some services to be considerably limited and customers should ensure that they check their journeys before they travel at www.arrivatrains.wales/check. Customers should also make any necessary journeys as early as possible before the weather worsens.”