SOUTH Cumbria was transformed into a winter wonderland when lashings of snow fell across the county today (6).

Residents woke up to see their streets, cars and popular landmarks such as Furness Abbey and Hoad covered in a wintry blanket as the mercury plummeted below zero.

For Barrow twins Mabel and Joshua Milner, the day was even more special as it marked their third birthday and the first time the pocket-sized pair had seen snow.

Their parents, Gary, 42, and Rebecca, 38, both took the day off work to make sure the twins could celebrate their birthday in style, and had even considered taking them to the Chill Factor in Manchester for something different, before they saw the flurry.

GALLERY: Round up of snow pictures from across Cumbria

Mrs Milner said: "We had a 'Frozen' party on Saturday so we were singing 'Do you want to build a snowman' the whole time.
"My husband went to buy sledges this morning and we are going to Pizza Hut later.

"It didn't last long, but it was enough for them to do a bit of sledging and it tired them out.

"I don't think we will get anymore snow here, it's so rare we get it here so it was lovely. I feel sorry for the children who had to go to school as they will be dying to get out and play but it's all gone."

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The Yarlside family were just one of many who took to the slopes at Furness Abbey's amphitheatre to make the most of the winter weather.

Staff and pupils from St George's C of E were also among the crowds gathering to sledge, play and make snowmen.

While weather disruption on the roads was minimal, a number of schools across the area were forced to close their doors for the day, due to the adverse weather.

Dowdales school in Dalton and St James' Catholic Primary School in Millom both closed their doors for the day with the head at Dowdales blaming "adverse weather conditions."

Both schools are expected to open as normal tomorrow.

Schools in parts of Cumbria closed due to snow