ONE village community came together to ensure the show could go on despite the heavy snow last week.

Sutton Primary Academy, like many schools across the county, was forced to shut on Monday and Tuesday due to the weather conditions and the school site being unsafe for staff and pupils.

On Wednesday, pupils were due to have Christmas lunches made by the village pub, The Golden Cross, followed by a whole school trip to the pantomime.

Knowing that pupils would be disappointed and facing a possible third day of closure, staff, parents, pupils and community came together to fight back and clear the treacherous car park leading to the school.

Head of school, Liz Orton, said: "I was humbled by the response of all of our staff and some of our parents who braved the icy conditions to come in and clear the school site first thing.

"We also had the added help of local farmers Richard Andrews and Jason Corrick who volunteered to come with his digger to help clear the car park.

"Without everyone pulling together, we would have had to shut for a third day and the children would have missed all their performances and Christmas lunches so I’d like to thank everyone who helped us make today a success for our pupils."

Meanwhile the trustees of St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Dilwyn congratulated those who ensured the school stayed open throughout the adverse weather.

They said: "Trustees of St. Mary’s are proud to report that the school remained open throughout the recent heavy snows and would wish to congratulate the principal, Peter Kyles, and his staff for their determination in keeping the school running, as well as the parents who managed to take their children to school despite the extreme difficulties involved."