A NUMBER of fallen trees and signalling problems caused severe disruption on road and rail routes today after a sudden fall of snow hit Kent.

There was up 12 centimetres of the white stuff in some areas of the county with West Kent being particularly hit. Most areas of east Kent, including Thanet, escaped altogether.

Thousands of commuters were delayed as buses replaced trains between Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge. Trees were brought down on the A21 near Tunbridge Wells because of the snow.

Kent County Council operations engineer Peter Lott said the snow was not expected, but gritters set out from 9.30pm last night.

He said: "We had been expecting it to rain for most of the night with a few snow showers mixed in. It was a surprise to everyone that the snow was so intense."

Snowploughs were still out clearing some road early this morning.

The early morning sunshine melted much of the snow away and the bad weather is not expected to last.