JOHN Masefield High School has taken the hard decision not to re-open on Tuesday, because of ice and the adverse weather conditions.

The school has been closed today (Monday), but because of the state of the paths and car parks after the heavy snow, there is no guarantee as yet that the school will be able to open on Wednesday.

But now staff are calling on parent power and seasonal goodwill to make sure the school can re-open on Wednesday.

The school's business manager Wendy Bradbeer, in an emailed message to parents said: "On Tuesday we want to do all we can to make the school site safe to open on Wednesday.

"Please could we ask whether any parents who have access to a tractor help us out by clearing snow from the car park, playgrounds and road leading to the sports centre."

She added: "If you are able to help, please could you let us know by e-mailing admin@jmhs.hereford.sch.uk".

A separate post on the school's web site explains the reasons behind the decision to keep the school shut for a second day.

The message states "Due to the amount of snow on the school site, very poor travelling conditions, particularly from rural locations and overnight forecasts of temperatures as low as -11?C, which will mean that even gritted roads and pavements will be unsafe, we have decided that the school will be closed on Tuesday December 12.

"We will do all we can to try and ensure we are open as usual on Wednesday."

At least 17cms of snow fell on Ledbury on Sunday, the heaviest local snow storm for four years.