Snowy conditions described as “the first taste of winter” have caused school closures, bus cancellations and road delays in parts of Oxfordshire. 

The north of the county saw most snowfall with six schools in Banbury closed on Tuesday (November 19) due to the conditions. A seventh school near Oxford also shut due to the weather conditions. 

Two more delayed opening until 10am to wait for the roads to clear.

Bus operator Stagecoach cancelled all bus services in Banbury in the morning and some services were unable to reach parts of Chipping Norton.

Its Oxford services were running but with "significant delays" across the network.

There was a crash at Edgehill near the Oxfordshire and Warwickshire border.

The A422 to Banbury was closed in both directions and the road was deemed unsafe due to snow by the AA.

Network Rail warned the cold climate would affect various routes on train services until at least 2pm.

And Oxfordshire County Council's gritters had their first outing of the winter season amid warnings to drivers to take extra care and allow extra time for journeys. 

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a yellow cold weather health alert for the south east at 8am on Tuesday which lasts until 6pm on Saturday.

It means conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, from the UKHSA, said: “It is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather.

“Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk.”

Emergency beds for people experiencing rough sleeping have been opened for the rest of this week across Oxfordshire.

A Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) was activated until Friday morning (November 22) due to a forecast of subzero overnight temperatures.

The SWEP will be reviewed with the forecast on Friday and councils will decide whether to extend or close it.

However, some people clearly enjoyed the weather, sharing picturesque scenes of frosty landscapes and snow-covered hills.

People made snowmen in an Oxford park and early morning dog walkers took snaps of their pets in Christmas jumpers and snow on foliage and benches.

The Met Office described the conditions as “the first taste of winter" with 5-10cm of snow falling in some parts of England.

But by midday the pretty wintry weather had given way to an overcast afternoon with forecasters warning of more subzero temperatures on the way.

The next couple of days will see cold and icy conditions developing with a chilly northerly wind and temperatures down to minus 3C.