THE Army came up trumps when deep snow threatened delivery of meals on wheels to dozens of elderly people in the Richmond area.

WRVS volunteers, who deliver the meals, were unable to use their cars because of treacherous road conditions on Wednesday morning.

Social services home care manager, Mrs Rosemary Bell, feared the service, a lifeline to many housebound people, would have to be cancelled.

However, a phone call to the Army at Catterick Garrison rescued the situation when Maj Nigel Denison, of the infantry training centre, stepped in to help. He organised two Land Rovers and drivers to collect the meals from Richmond and take them and the volunteers on their rounds in the town and surrounding villages.

"The lady in charge of the volunteers rang me early on Wednesday morning and asked if there was anything I could do," said Mrs Bell. "I live at Reeth and was stuck anyway but I decided to ring the Army and they were fantastic.

"At this time of year, and in weather like this, the hot meals and a visit by a volunteer are vital to the elderly. The Army did a tremendous job. I don't know what we would have done without them."

Maj Denison said: "We had two Land Rovers available and we were able to send two drivers. We were only too happy to help, given the special circumstances."

Schools in Richmondshire fell victim to the weather, as almost all children had an unexpected day off on Wednesday. The Church of England primary was the only one to remain open in Richmond.

The Wensleydale school at Leyburn was also closed all day as snow drifted up to 3ft in some areas.

Late night travellers on Tuesday had to endure blizzard conditions on the A1 and the A66 trans-Pennine route was closed at Bowes.

Drivers faced long and difficult journeys to work on Wednesday morning and some minor roads were passable only with great care. One lorry driver had a narrow escape when his vehicle slid off the Scotch Corner to Skeeby road on Wednesday morning.

Residents in spots hit by flooding in the past months, including those in Gilling West, near Richmond, prepared sandbags for the thaw.