WINTER Hill lived up to its name as snow created picture postcard scenes across Bolton.

It formed a dramatic backdrop to the town, as captured (above) from Raikes Lane by photographer Marc Berry.

And while the snow to which Boltonians woke on Tuesday morning was cursed by motorists, it was welcomed enthusiastically by primary school children.

Footsteps and tyres had reduced much of the snow to slush by the end of the day, but it lasted a little longer in the hills around the town.

Gritting teams in Bolton have been praised this year, after the problems of 12 months ago, when heavy snow lay on the roads for days, causing difficulties for drivers. Since Sunday night, 20 drivers have dropped 700 tonnes of salt and grit along 25 key routes across the borough.

They covered 2,800 miles as they gritted main roads and bus routes.

Cllr Donald Grime, the council's executive member for direct services -- which is responsible for gritting -- said: "Our revised weather plans, drawn up after last year's major review of our gritting operation, seem to have worked well."

And forecasters were predicting that the snow would be gone by the end of the week, with temperatures expected to rise to around 6C.

But the council has warned that households who have not had their bins emptied because of the weather will have to wait another seven days for collection.

While a full complement of bin lorries were in action yesterday, it was slow going on the roads, and crews were unable to complete their rounds.

The council has promised a double collection next Tuesday for any homes that were missed out yesterday.

For further information, contact the environmental services helpline on 01204 336632.

A recorded information line is also available on 01204 336605.