The snow in Nares Road, Rainham

by Nicola Jordan

The long-awaited snow finally fell in Medway today after the Towns escaped much of the disruption as wintry weather hit elsewhere in the county on Friday.

With on and off forecasts of the big freeze on Friday and Saturday, shoppers were well prepared.

Supermarket bosses reported panic-buying, with long queues at Asda in Chatham and empty shelves in Tesco, Gillingham.

Lisa Hasting, who works in customer services at Asda, said they were rushed off their feet on Thursday and Friday.

She said: "It was like they were going to be snowed in for weeks. We sold out of potatoes on both days."

Gary Outed, manager of Morrisons in Strood, said: "Bread, milk sugar, crisps and ready meals were all flying off the shelves."

Empty bread shelves in Tesco, Gillingham

Sledges were selling well at D&A Toys in Chatham, even before the first flake appeared.

Manager Lee Rochman said yesterday: "We sold about 60 on Friday and when it starts to fall we can expect to sell hundreds more and see people queueing outside the store."

Today's snow fall, which started at about 8.30am, prompted scores of youngsters to take to parks and recreation grounds for some wintry fun.

Medway Council’s gritting lorries were out in force on major roads and sweeping gangs treated priority footpaths and car parks.

The weather forced Rochester Castle to shut today and leisure centres closed their doors early at 3pm.

Icy conditions severely disrupted the sporting programme over the weekend, including Lordswood FC’s FA Vase cup tie against Durham and Gills’ game in Rochdale.

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