A WINTER wonderland descended on Suffolk - but the barrage of snow was not welcomed by all with the weather contributing to hazardous conditions for drivers.

A WINTER wonderland descended on Suffolk - but the barrage of snow was not welcomed by all with the weather contributing to hazardous conditions for drivers.

The county was blanketed in a layer of bright white for much of yesterday after the first flakes began to fall in the morning.

Hundreds of youngsters ignored the bitter chill and took advantage of the unusually early dollop to dig out their sledges or to make snow men.

However, many motorists who were forced to brave the icy roads were left cursing the cold snap.

One was person was injured in a three-vehicle collision on the A137 between Wherstead and Tattingstone at around 10am, with emergency services closing the road while they dealt with the clear-up.

At around the same time, police and the ambulance service were called to a prang between two vehicles on the B1115 at Bildeston.

Three people were hurt in the collision, but their injuries are not believed to be serious.

Meanwhile, police had to clear debris from the A14 central interchange near Bury St Edmunds after a car spun in the road, causing delays.

A car also lost control on the Orwell Bridge near Ipswich, while earlier in the day, fire crews were called to help release a man from the wreckage of a three-vehicle crash at Yoxford on the A12.

Evening Star weatherman Ken Blowers revealed that just under an inch of snow fell in Ipswich.

He said the arctic blast has all but passed, with temperatures set to creep up throughout the week.

Temperatures yesterday only reached 39F/4C, with shivering lows of just 27F/-3C.

Mr Blowers said: “It was very chilly for the time of year - the average temperature for late November is 48F or 9C.

“It will warm up slowly although it will still remain cold for the time of year.

“But it's certainly the end of the snow for the time being.

“It's fairly rare to get snow at this time of year, but not unheard of. Snow tends to come from the middle of December onwards.”

So does the early snowfall increase the likelihood of a white Christmas?

“It's too early to say,” said Mr Blowers. “No one can predict that just yet.”

Send us your snow pictures - post them to Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail them to starnews@eveningstar.co.uk

GUIDE dog puppy Star enjoyed a taste of the snow when she visited a craft fair in Suffolk.

Villagers in Coddenham held the event on Sunday to raise money for The Evening Star's Christmas appeal.

The appeal aims to raise £10,000 towards the cost of training Star to become a guide dog.

More than 100 people came along to the fair in the village hall, which sold gifts from local artists.

Jan Rowsell, one of the organisers, said: “It has gone really well.

“We were a bit concerned about the snow in the morning, but we had a fantastic response.”