DO not put away the thermals just yet as a polar chill is set to engulf the county again by the end of this week.

Citizen weather expert Ian Thomas said although temperatures had risen since the weekend's snow they were due to plunge again soon.

"The deepest snow we had was two inches on the top of Rodborough and Minchinhampton and the rest of us in Dursley and Cinderford had an inch on Saturday night," he said.

"By tomorrow or Thursday it's going to be back in the deep freeze.

"There is a chance it could go on for at least another three weeks."

However no more snow is currently forecast, although he said this could change as this week progressed.

"We had our coldest February night in 21 years on Thursday night into Friday morning when it was minus 9.5 in Dursley," he said.

Motorists have been warned of ice on the roads at night and Gloucestershire County Council highways said its gritters would be remain in action.

Yesterday, the primary school at Widden in Gloucester was shut after its heating failed.