Third day of closures for schools

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A forecast of heavy snow has led to a third day off for pupils in many schools across north-west England.

Rochdale Council has recommended that all 92 of its schools close on Thursday, in anticipation of bad weather overnight.

Cumbria County Council has announced four closures and in Lancashire 16 schools are planning to shut. Bolton, Bury and Oldham will also be affected.

Police are urging drivers to only make necessary journeys.

The heavy snowfalls on Monday night led to about 200 school closures in Cumbria, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

Cars were abandoned in north Bury and Rossendale and there were delays on routes including the M61, M6 and M62.

Police have issued warning about driving in the snow and ice

On Wednesday about 18 schools were still shut in Lancashire, four in Greater Manchester and one in Cumbria.

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning and police say drivers should only go out if they have to.

Lancashire Police said motorists should ensure their cars had enough petrol for the journey and were stocked with de-icer and warm clothing.

Inspector Phil Cottam, of the Lancashire police motorway unit, said: "Even routine journeys can spell disaster if you are caught out by bad weather.

"If the weather hits as predicted, road conditions could become treacherous."

Officers in Greater Manchester and Merseyside are warning drivers not to leave their cars running while they defrost them.

In Greater Manchester 20 thefts have been reported since Monday.