Flintshire headteacher says "It was not an easy decision"

Ysgol Maes Garmon headteacher Bronwen Hughes has said closing the schools in light of the amber weather alert was not an easy decision for the local authority.

Speaking BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast she said: "We had an email yesterday giving us instructions to close the school and that's what we've done.

"We heard the warning had been upgraded to amber and there were several meetings on county level to discuss the situation, we have to consider safety issues, there's nothing worse than snow falling at lunchtime and then the worry about how everybody will get home safely."

She added that it was the right decision, based on the weather forecast.

Flintshire's cabinet member for education, Mared Eastwood, apologised for the disruption caused and said the council thought by planning, arrangements could be made for online learning.

"We recognise the childcare difficulties that does arise for parents but we were trying to minimise the disruption – an amber warning is significant because it does recommend essential journeys only," she told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"It’s not just the weather in your particular school that needs to be taken into account.

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"The amber warning is expected to be lifted for tomorrow and it is expected that the schools will be open."

All schools in Flintshire will remain shut today following yesterday's announcement. 

An amber weather warning will also remain in place from 8am and 3pm today.