VILLAGES were cut off, cars abandoned and trains were running late after the heaviest snowfall in memory hit the Wisbech area at the start of 1956. Within seven hours, the district was covered in 18 inches of snow, and many drivers who had left their cars

VILLAGES were cut off, cars abandoned and trains were running late after the heaviest snowfall in memory hit the Wisbech area at the start of 1956.

Within seven hours, the district was covered in 18 inches of snow, and many drivers who had left their cars parked in the open spent hours trying to get them going, while breakdown lorries were working at full pressure.

Several villages were cut off, with Tydd St Giles one of the worst hit.

The day after the snowfall, rising temperatures brought further problems when melting snow brought down roofs, trees and guttering.

Wisbech borough engineer John Thompson made every effort to keep major roads passable, and 20 lorries were used to clear snow from the town centre and dump it into the river.

Our picture was taken in Alexandra Road, Wisbech, where youngsters enjoyed a snowball fight.