Snow updates: weather, travel and schools (From Surrey Comet)

4:56pm

Children at Beatrix Potter School in Wandsworth enjoyed playing in the snow this lunchtime.

The youngsters from year one were pelting their headteacher with snowballs.

4:39pm

This picture of Selhurst Park in the snow came via @Official_CPFC - Keep up to date with Crystal Palace FC at www.cpfc.co.uk

4:29pm

Beautifull picture of Strawberry Hill House sent in by Jenny Mayer

4:04pm

4:03pm

Dulwich Hamlet FC are asking fans to muck in tomorrow and give them a hand clearing the snow.

More information can be found at www.pitchero.com

3:53pm

Keep up to date with all the latest traffic and travel information here

3:48pm

3:42pm

Passengers have hit out at South West Trains because of overcrowding at Surbiton station - Click here to read the full report

3:37pm

Cheam councillor sent this picture of people enjoying the snow in Nonsuch Park

3:27pm

Kevin Sturt sent in this picture of a snowy garden in Lower Morden.

Send in your snaps to digitalmedia@london.newsquest.co.uk

3:23pm

Snow protest

Someone has taken the trouble to create a big RIP sign on Dundonald Recreation Ground.

It comes after Merton councillors voted to approve a controversial scheme to expand a primary school and redevelop part of the Rec.

3:20pm

Nurses in Kingston have ignored the snow to keep appointments with patients, walking to work if roads are too dangerous to drive on.

New Malden district nurse and Unison rep Lynn Herridge said: “We’re all working and we’ve not cancelled any visits – all our patients are vital. We’re just doing our job that we love. The service goes on, whatever.”

3:17pm

Unison has praised the dedication of Sutton's district nurses, as they fought through the snow to visit patients at their homes today.

Michael Walker Unison regional officer said: "We would like to take this opportunity to praise our dedicated Sutton district nurses, who acted in an exemplary fashion today, in ensuring patients were seen despite deteriorating weather conditions.

"It has become fashionable in some quarters to knock nurses, but here is yet another example of dedicated NHS nurses going the extra mile for patients."

2:57pm

Snowy scenes from Twickenham Bridge

2:39pm

2:28pm

A road was blocked by a broken down S3 bus this morning causing diversions for over an hour - click here for the full story

2:24pm

2:22pm

2:08pm

South Norwood train station - sent in by David Rhys Lewis

2:06pm

Battersea dogs and cats home will be closing at 3pm today because of snow.

2:01pm

So far 53 per cent of you love the snow - have you cast your vote yet?

1:58pm

Two-year-old Harley Dow from Mitcham looks like he's pleased to see the snow!

1:46pm

1:43pm

While heavy snowfall has caused travel chaos across most of the UK, dogs at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are making the most of Britain’s blizzard.

Many of the 450 dogs at Battersea have had their first taste of snow today, such as six month old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross Hudson.

Here are a few points for dog owners to remember:

• If your dog has a fine coat, for example a Greyhound or Staffordshire Bull Terrier, put a dog coat on them when you take them out to help keep them warm.
• Salt and grit from roads and pavements can get in-between your dog’s paws so at the end of a walk, make sure you clean their paws.
• Even though you might love the snow, it can be a new and strange thing for your dog so make sure you take it slowly with them if they are not used to it.
• If your dog gets wet and muddy out on a walk, make sure you dry it off when you get home.
• If you can’t take your dog out for a walk or it doesn’t want to go out in the snow, make sure you provide it with plenty of stimulating games to play indoors.
• In snowy conditions visibility can be reduced, so make sure your dog has good recall as it won’t be as easy to see where it is.

You can download a free knitting pattern for a dog coat and cat blanket by visiting Battersea’s website www.battersea.org.uk

1:37pm

Leave your comments below and we can drag them into the live blog...

1:35pm

1:33pm

1:14pm

1:09pm

Despite the snow forecast for this weekend, the rally to save Epsom’s fire engine will be going ahead as planned.

Residents are urged to battle through the weather to demonstrate their feelings against the proposal by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service to relocate one of Epsom’s engines to Burgh Heath by 2014.

Meet outside Epsom fire station, in Church Street, Epsom, at 11am tomorrow.

1:08pm

1:05pm

1:05pm

12:51pm

12:38pm

12:33pm

Orthopaedic consultant David Elliott, from Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals, reminded people, particularly the elderly, to take extra care in the snow and ice.

He said: “I would like to gently remind people to think ahead and keep an eye on the forecast. If ice or snow is predicted then try to get some shopping for a few days so you don’t have to go out or ask a neighbour or family member to help you.

“If you do have to go out then icy pavements and stairs often cause falls but wearing sensible study boots or shoes and using a walking stick if you need one will help keep you steady on your feet.”

Icy roads also bring more risks to drivers and an increase in people coming into accident and emergency after traffic collisions.

Mr Elliott advised people to be aware of the conditions and think about black ice on the roads.

He said: “It’s better to be safe than sorry, so go slowly and carefully.”

12:30pm

12:28pm

A car almost skidded into the Thames at Twickenham Riverside today due to heavy snow.

The new Volkswagen  left tracks heading up Water Lane, which was covered in snow, and appeared to be turning into a car park by the river.

Water Lane appeared gritless to the river, with a covering of snow on roads and paths by the river.

One witness said: “It looks like a brand new car – not a great start to the weekend. I hope they’re all right.”

Police were on the scene and the driver has left the vehicle.

Luke Montgomery-Smith saw the incident. He said: “I missed the beginning but the driver was going down Water Lane very slowly and due to the fact the road is yet to be gritted the snow was compact and made for a really slippery surface so the car just couldn't stop and slowly teetered over the edge. The driver was unharmed.”

12:20pm

12:14pm

What are your favourite snow puns? Leave a comment below or Tweet using #SnowPuns

Here are a couple from the newsroom:

Dave Rankin: Apocalypse S-now

Jamie Ross: Snow Money, Snow Problems

Sean Duggan: Snow joke

12:10pm

Grit and determination keeps Richmond and Twickenham moving - click here to read the full story.

12:07pm

11:55am

11:53am

This fabulous picture was sent in by David Stewart - we'll keep you up to date throughout the day with any train delays or cancellations.

11:49am

Crystal Palace are keeping an Eagle eye on the weather ahead of their game against Bolton Wanderers tomorrow.

The club are keeping fans informed of the latest travel arrangements and the state of the pitch throughout Friday and Saturday morning.

Currently the pitch is playable with no overnight frost but conditions are continually changing with the arrival of snow today.

Palace have drafted some extra pairs of hands to clear the pitch in time for Saturday. Check the cpfc.co.uk and @official_cpfc for updates.

11:49am

Heathrow Airport has shut its northern runway due to snow. Passengers should expect delays and disruptions and check their flight with airlines. Cancellations are expected throughout the day.

11:39am

Here's our first snowman picture - send yours to digitalmedia@london.newsquest.co.uk

11:31am

Updates from schools are flooding in - click below to find out about school closures in your area:

Croydon

Sutton

Wimbledon

Epsom

Elmbridge

Kingston

Richmond