THE COLD front that has swept across Britain led to many local schools closing this week.

The 'beast from the east', as the cold weather coming in from Russia has been dubbed, brought snowfall and plummeting temperatures on Wednesday, February 28.

Many schools in Wharfedale, Aireborough and Horsforth either closed completely, closed early or opened late, as a result.

The secondary schools affected included Horsforth School, Benton Park School, St Mary's Menston, Ilkley Grammar School and Guiseley School.

While the others were listed as being closed due to severe weather, Guiseley was left without heating or water and closed 'due to essential maintenance'.

Among the primaries that shut for the day were Addingham Primary School, Menston Primary School, Westgate Primary, in Otley, Rawdon St Peter's C of E VC Primary, Queensway Primary in Yeadon and Pool C of E Primary.

A number of others - including Prince Henry's Grammar School at Otley - did remain open, though with fewer pupils than normal.