Snow and sub-zero temperatures affecting businesses in North East Lincolnshire

DAFFODILS in the snow might not be the first thought on your mind when it comes to spring-time but that is exactly what we're facing this week.

This time last year there was plenty of sunshine and temperatures were a lot higher with some parts of the country breaking into highs of 20 C.

However, it is a very different picture in 2013, with 3cm of snow and ice on the ground in some areas yesterday, and temperatures struggling to stay above freezing.

More light snowfall is expected tomorrow morning but towards the end of the week the weather is predicted to get better.

A Met Office spokesman said: "Winds will gradually become northerly over the next few days but North Sea coastal locations can expect further snow showers.

"It will stay cold too but winds should ease.

"By Friday, low pressure is expected to spread in from the Atlantic bringing slightly less cold temperatures and outbreaks of rain."

The unseasonal white stuff has caused a variety of problems for local businesses:

Will Pennell, manager of Pennells Garden Centre in Cleethorpes, said: "If it is snowing it does not help us.

"With last year's rainfall still in our minds we don't want to see that again because it was a washout for a lot of people.

"In some ways we are glad that the snow has come now as opposed to in December when we were very busy.

"As winters go it has not been too bad and we are not surprised about the snowfall because the weather in this country is unpredictable.

"We have had a little bit of wastage due to the weather but our plants are well looked-after.

"We are remaining positive even though it is a bit cold at the moment."

Jonathan Brant, a livestock and arable farmer at Normanby-le-Wold, near Caistor, said: "For those farmers that are putting in spring crops, the snow has put everything on hold.

"Anything that was put in early will not be developing because of the snow and cold.

"Frost can actually be a good thing for the land but not at this time of year when you are trying to sort crops out.

"For farmers it is just a case of waiting for things to thaw out and hope that it doesn't get too wet or snow anymore."

Market Rasen Racecourse general manager, Pip Kirkby, said: "Any snow is bad for racing, it gathers in the hollow of the horses' hooves and becomes very dangerous.

"It is like galloping on ball bearings.

"We held a race meeting on Sunday with a temperature of 2 C and a wind chill factor of -4 C.

"We make an educated decision based on forecasts and what the conditions are on the day.

"If we were going to have a meeting yesterday we would have cancelled.

"When it is cold and snows it really is all hands on deck for us.

"It is safety first for all our customers, horses and jockeys.

"If there is frost on the ground it can be very hard and slippy for both horses and humans.

"We try to do our best by spreading salt and covering areas wherever possible.

"If we can hold a meeting we will but we need to be observant and put safety first."