RUBBISH collections in some parts of Gwent could be suspended until next week if the snow continues to fall later this week, as forecast.

Heavy snowfalls across Gwent yesterday morning brought several areas to a standstill with schools closed, difficult driving conditions and cancelled council services.

Caerphilly council suspended refuse and recycling collections for the day and warned residents that if the adverse weather carries on as forecast, collections might not take place until next week.

Newport city council also warned residents rubbish collection services might be disrupted by the snow.

A council spokesman said: "The main thing the snow is affecting is rubbish collections. The big trucks can't get up some of the city's steeper roads in areas like Christchurch.

"But we will be collecting as soon as possible." Five inches of snow fell in the highest areas of Gwent, and despite gritting many people had transport problems.

Some of the worst-hit areas were in the Valleys, and in Blackwood police described conditions as treacherous, though no roads were closed. Gwent Police reported bad driving conditions on the A465 Heads of the Valleys road, and there were speed restrictions of 30mph on the M4 across Gwent.

Many Gwent children had an unexpected St David's Day holiday because of school closures. The majority of schools in Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen shut for the day, along with 50 in Caerphilly, 22 in Newport and nine in Monmouthshire.

Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly council offices shut after only a skeleton staff managed to make it into work.

City bus services yesterday morning were also affected, with reports of many buses running an average of 20 minutes late.

Mark Rogers, depot manager at Stagecoach, Brynmawr, said the firm was trying to maintain the service but some buses were stuck inside.