WHILE children were gleefully making the most of the heavy snowfall yesterday, many Gwent people were left disappointed as a host of events had to be cancelled.

Around 240 walkers had planned an 18-mile castle-to-castle walk to raise money for the St David's Hospice Foundation.

Organisers decided the conditions were unsafe and decided to postpone the event to April 23.

Two walkers, Neil Harrison and Stephen Vonniekerk, decided to get some practice in anyway for the new date by walking from Newport castle to Chepstow castle.

The first public boat trip at the recently restored fourteen Locks Flight in Rogerstone was also cancelled.

Ray Haydon, chairman of Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust, said everyone was "immensely disappointed" the trip could not take place.

The opening journey will now take place on April 9.

Hundreds of children were also left disappointed as the second day of the Music For Youth Festival at County Hall was scuppered by the weather.

More than 1,800 children were expected to show off their musical talents over the two days. The event had made a great start on Saturday, with half of the 55 performing groups taking to the stage.

Alun Williams, from Gwent Music Support Service, who helped organise the event, said: "We had to make the decision early based on the snow in the Valleys and safety."

The rest of the performances will be rescheduled in the next few days. Other Gwent youngsters were more than happy to see the snow as they dusted off their sleighs and played at Cefn Wood , Rogerstone.

Gwent Police were forced to abandon use of normal vehicles in the snow-hit valleys, deciding to use only four-by-four vehicles for routine calls in some areas.