PARENTS at primary schools across the region have been helping to get classes back on track.

Clair Pendleton, of Friends of Ouston Primary School, in Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, said a number of parents, staff and governors pulled together to clear the school and access roads of snow and ice.

She said: “We were told that the route to the school was not a priority for clearance by the county council.

“The school was therefore at risk of closing for a fourth day, so parents volunteered to start clearing snow.

She said: “Not only did they clear all around the school grounds when they heard that no gritter would be sent to clear the access road, they also cleared the street outside the school, the parking bays outside Ouston shops, which are used by parents, and then the main street all the way to the main road that runs through the village of Ouston.

It was such an amazing response and we are so grateful to everyone who helped.”