With a weather warning that tomorrow (Thursday, December 27) will be more treacherous than today (Wednesday, December 27) a blanket of snow turned Thaxted into a Christmas card scene on the first working day after Christmas.

Dunmow Broadcast: Spike Walker with a snowball in Thaxted on December 27, 2017. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOSpike Walker with a snowball in Thaxted on December 27, 2017. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: (Archant commissioned) Saffron Photo 2017)

The snow was so heavy that families were even deterred from staying out in the snow and enjoying it. Some turned up with sledges but risked getting wet through as the downfall persisted and went back home into the warm and dry. By noon, the town centre was pretty much deserted

Dunmow Broadcast: Snowy scenes in Thaxted on December 27, 2017. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOSnowy scenes in Thaxted on December 27, 2017. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: (Archant commissioned) Saffron Photo 2017)

The roads between Thaxted and Saffron Walden and Thaxted and Dunmow were treacherous being slippery and slushy and traffic sensibly slowed down.

Dunmow Broadcast: Snowy scenes in Thaxted on December 27, 2017. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOSnowy scenes in Thaxted on December 27, 2017. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: (Archant commissioned) Saffron Photo 2017)

Our photographer Roger King who took these pictures in Thaxted said: “No-one was driving at more than 30 miles an hour and everyone was being cautious.”

Dunmow Broadcast: Snowy scenes in Thaxted on December 27, 2017. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOSnowy scenes in Thaxted on December 27, 2017. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: (Archant commissioned) Saffron Photo 2017)

According to the weather forecast, there is a risk of ice overnight, so that tomorrow will have an icy start to the day with more potential to cause disruption than today.

Dunmow Broadcast: Snowy scenes in Thaxted on December 27, 2017. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOSnowy scenes in Thaxted on December 27, 2017. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: (Archant commissioned) Saffron Photo 2017)

Snow also affected the north of the district, with heavy rain and melting snow causing localised flooding, including on the road between Radwinter and Saffron Walden.

Dunmow Broadcast: Robinson family coming back from sledging in Thaxted on December 27, 2017. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTORobinson family coming back from sledging in Thaxted on December 27, 2017. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: (Archant commissioned) Saffron Photo 2017)

Dunmow Broadcast: Snowy scenes in Thaxted on December 27, 2017. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOSnowy scenes in Thaxted on December 27, 2017. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: (Archant commissioned) Saffron Photo 2017)

Dunmow Broadcast: Brother and sister Millie and Elliot Olds put the finishing touches to the snow-lady their family started earlier in the morning on Saffron Walden Common. Picture: CELIA BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHYBrother and sister Millie and Elliot Olds put the finishing touches to the snow-lady their family started earlier in the morning on Saffron Walden Common. Picture: CELIA BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant commissioned - Copyright © 2017 Celia Bartlett Photography)

Dunmow Broadcast: Brother and sister Millie and Elliot Olds put the finishing touches to the snow-lady their family started earlier in the morning on Saffron Walden Common. Picture: CELIA BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHYBrother and sister Millie and Elliot Olds put the finishing touches to the snow-lady their family started earlier in the morning on Saffron Walden Common. Picture: CELIA BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant commissioned - Copyright © 2017 Celia Bartlett Photography)

Dunmow Broadcast: Brother and sister Millie and Elliot Olds put the finishing touches to the snow-lady their family started earlier in the morning on Saffron Walden Common. Picture: CELIA BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHYBrother and sister Millie and Elliot Olds put the finishing touches to the snow-lady their family started earlier in the morning on Saffron Walden Common. Picture: CELIA BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant commissioned - Copyright © 2017 Celia Bartlett Photography)