Families enjoy snow day sledging on the slopes

As more than 100 schools were listed as closed or partially closed across the county, pupils spent yesterday making the most of a rare day in the snow with their friends, families and pets.

More than 80 schools across East Sussex shut their doors and at least 20 schools across West Sussex closed for the day due to the wintry conditions.

A group of children took to Queen’s Park in Brighton to enjoy the slopes there, while others across the city made snowmen, had snowball fights and used their sledges in other parks and hills in the area.

Photographer Simon Dack said he saw families sledging as early as 7.30am in Queen’s Park.

He said: “There were already children out playing when I got there in the morning.

“It has been a few years since I have seen snow like that here.

“There were probably dozens of people enjoying the snow at the park.

“Lots of children and their families were out laughing and having a good time.

“I even saw a dog chasing people down the slopes as they went down on their sledges.”

Some children who did not get to enjoy a day off in the snow were dragged to school on their sledges by their parents so they did not feel left out.

Those who made it into the schools that remained open for the day enjoyed their breaks in the playground with friends as another flurry of snow hit the city just before midday.

Street Play Brighton, a group on social media promoting street play in Brighton and Hove, posted: “#Snow in the UK and children and adults are playing out together.

“Enjoying our deserted roads and meeting neighbours for sledging.

“So much laughter and it’s only 10am! Loving #snowday.”

Staff at the West Hill Tavern posted on social media they had spotted a large snowball fight developing near Brighton Station.

They tweeted: “Could this be the start of Brighton’s biggest snowball fight?

“Ten has grown to 30 in the last half hour #carpark #snowballfight #schoolsout.”