THE 12th day of Christmas today brought one final present today — the heaviest snowfall in years.

It caused chaos, hitting transport and travel, closing scores of schools and day centres, and stopping thousands of people getting to work.

Winchester became a snowy ghost town, with noticeably fewer vehicles and pedestrians.

Several shops were shut as staff struggled to work. The Winchester Centre, in St George's Street, home to many organisations including the Citizens' Advice Bureau was shut today but is due to reopen tomorrow.

Further snowfalls were feared for tomorrow (Thursday), with sub-zero temperatures expected until the weekend.

Driving in Winchester was worsened by the closure of St Cross Road for railway bridge works. It caused congestion in Romsey Road, as drivers sought alternative routes.

The county council deployed 45 salting lorries, but only on the main routes. Some 120 farmers were called in to provide snow plough services on minor roads.

The council said it has enough salt to last about a week.

Since the ‘big freeze’ started in mid-December, priority routes that carry more than 85 per cent of traffic have been salted more than 30 times at a cost of £1m.

There was panic buying at city superstores. Tesco at Winnall had its shelves of staple foods cleared by 6pm yesterday. (Tuesday) It was the same at Sainsbury’s in Badger Farm, where stocks of bread and milk were gone by 7pm.

“It was mad,” said Paul Robertson, store manager. “Elderly people especially have a mentality of being at war, so they were buying lots of corned beef and tinned things.”

Meanwhile, mindful of the criticism after the last snow in December, Serco workers were out clearing and gritting pavements in Winchester city centre.

The snow disrupted civic life today forcing the postponement of two inquests, five out of seven courtrooms at the Law Courts, and the Winchester City Council meeting at the Guildhall tonight and the planning committee meeting due to be held tomorrow morning.

It also suspended refuse collection service but will review the situation in the morning.

Meanwhile Meadowside Leisure Centre in Whiteley also closed.

The Royal Hampshire County Hospital cancelled some operations.

Martin Wakeley, its chief executive, said: “We took the precaution yesterday of cancelling and rebooking around 20 patients due for surgery today, because we may need the theatre space and staff for fracture patients.”

South West Trains cut its services by 30 per cent to make allowance for likely delays. Reduced bus services continued to operate. Southampton Airport was closed for a time.

Dozens of local schools closed as well all 22 county council day centres for older people, people with learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

Tell the Chronicle your snow stories on 01962 860836, or email news@hampshirechronicle.co.uk.