SCHOOLS in Darlington were shut for a combined total of more than 150 days during November and last month's snow.

Figures, which will be discussed by councillors today, show only two schools in the town remained open throughout all days of the heavy snow and freezing temperatures.

The data showed that for the week from November 29 to December 3, 14 of the town's schools were shut all week.

Some schools were open during the period for certain hours or for parts of the day because of the weather.

A number of schools also closed during the week before, when the first snow fell.

The statistics are included in a report prepared for Darlington Borough Council's children and young people scrutiny committee.

Councillors will discuss details of the closures and what consideration headteachers have to make before calling an emergency closure.

The report says temperatures in the town dropped to -15C.

The report adds that a number of suggestions have been made to manage the situation, including allowing teachers to attend another school to keep as many open as possible or for schools to open during the summer holiday period.

Today's meeting, at 4pm in the town hall, is open to the public.