Funerals delayed, a TV presenter stuck in her car overnight and
hundreds of schools closed - welcomed to Kent in the snow!

It's been a busy day for the emergency services, but a fun one
for thousands of schoolchildren.

But it was nerves all the way to the altar for one couple - who
nearly missed their own wedding day due to the flurries.

Karen Rawlins and Jonathon Lee were on the brink of cancelling

their big day in the tiny village of Dode after heavy snow left

them stranded.... until wellwishers

stepped in with 4x4s.

Even TV presenter Davina McCall had to sleep in her car after
getting stranded in the county!

Around 1,000 people celebrating a Christmas party were trapped at the Kent Showground on Detling Hill
overnight.

The snow meant a road was closed so they couldn't get out after
the event and were forced to spend the night there.

Snow blanketed areas across the county, with some parts being
hit by more than 20cm overnight. North and west Kent are the worst
hit.

Farmers were even drafted in with their tractors to clear parts
of the county.

Audio: Met Office forecaster Charles Powell spoke to our
reporter Luke Hollands

KM Group journalist Helen Geraghty said: "Six inches of
snow fell overnight in the High Weald villages around Lamberhurst
and Wadhurst. The snow was still falling as day broke."

More than 250 schools across the county are closed today on what
is the last day before the Christmas break - an early present for
hundreds of youngsters!

It comes after the Met Office predicted severe weather across the south east.

Kent's road and rail network is being disrupted.

The new Sheppey Crossing is closed, and there is severe congestion on the M20 between junctions three to seven. See roads closed due to snow for the latest information.

Sorry, this video asset has been removed.

Video: Reporter Luke
Hollands enjoys the snow

~ Tune in to kmfm for regular traffic and travel updates >>>

TV presenter Davina McCall, who lives just over the Sussex
border in Wadhurst, slept in her car overnight after being
stranded in the snow. She was stuck on the A21 near Tunbridge
Wells, where a lorry jack-knifed.

Police had to help dig drivers out there and motorists are being
urged to travel only if absolutely necessary.

Southeastern says it is working hard with industry partners to ensure that a normal service will run "but the snow may unfortunately cause some disruption to services".

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SECAmb) is warning people only to dial 999 in a genuine emergency.

Sue Harris, SECAmb director of operations, said: "We don’t want
to dissuade anyone from calling for our help if they genuinely need
it but, if someone’s call is less urgent we would ask people to
consider whether they could get support and advice from other NHS
providers such as calling NHS Direct.

"We also advise that while the weather conditions remain poor
people stay at home unless absolutely necessary."

More than 50 gritters have been out covering around 2,500km of
routes.

Kent Highways say they have enough salt to grit constantly for
20 days and it is constantly being replenished so the county will
not run out.

It is not only gritters who have been out clearing our roads,
farmers have been lending a hand.

Toby Howe is the Winter Service Duty Officer at Kent County Council: "We have 180 farmers with snow ploughs across the county that when snow falls they have go out on pre set routes, but also at times like this they assist us on the main routes as well.

"They are critical. There was a lot of drifting last night so
they can get through better than a lot of our vehicles so they
assist in a great way."

Medway, which was one of the worst areas hit, closed its leisure centres early.

Funerals at Medway Crematorium, at Blue Bell Hill, Chatham, have
been delayed today because of the snow.

The first funeral at 9am was late because the funeral car could
not get into the site.

Medway funeral director, John Weir, said: "We were delayed
because of the snow and when we got to the crematorium the hearse
had to stop at the gates and the coffin was carried in by the
pallbearers to the chapel.

"Later a snow plough was sent up to clear the road inside the
site and cars were then able to get in ok."

A Met Office spokesman said the rest of today could see even
heavier snow, with daytime temperatures not rising much above
freezing.

Forecasters, however, say it's still too early to say whether
we're in for a white Christmas Day.