ALL school transport in Powys for Friday, January 18 has been cancelled due to predicted heavy snow fall.

The county council has also announced it is suspending waste and recycling collections on Friday due to the anticipated snow fall.

The Met Office has issued a rare 'red warning' predicting up to a foot of snow in upland including the Brecon Beacons.

An 'amber alert' has also been issued for large swathes of the county with heavy snow and drifting expected in the early hours of the morning with potential for severe disruption.

By Thursday evening some schools had already confirmed they will close on Friday and some secondary schools only open to pupils sitting exams.

"Our highest priority is pupil safety and we have decided to cancel school transport early rather than wait until the morning. The early decision will also give parents and guardians time to make alternative childcare arrangements," said a council spokesman on Thursday.

"Leaving the decision until the morning limits the council's ability to inform parents, transport operators and schools and runs the risk of mixed messages and confusion for everyone."

The council expects all school transport to be back running as normal from Monday, January 21.

Decisions on whether individual schools will close will be taken by their head teachers.

News on closures can be found on the county council's website http://www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=2792&L=0&quot">http://www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=2792&L=0" target="_blank">by clicking here

The council said recycling and rubbish collections in Powys will be suspended on Friday but collections are expected to resume as normal from Monday.

Householders are asked to place recycling and rubbish out for collection on their usual collection day next week.

Homes on the new kerbside recycling and rubbish scheme will have to wait a fortnight for a further collection if this is their rubbish collection week.

The council says it will ensure all waste will be collected and has apologised for any inconvenience.

Dyfed-Powys Police is reminding the public to take sensible precautions.

4x4 vehicles are being made available in areas expected to be worst hit by the weather, to enable officers to respond to emergency calls.

Police are asking the public to use the 999 system responsibly and only in cases of real emergencies – and for all non-emergency matters to call 101.

Chief Superintendent Steve Hughson said: "We are continuing to work hard with our partners to ensure that we provide an effective service in response to incidents. I would also like to remind people of the need to take sensible precautions in heavy snow and not to place themselves at risk unnecessarily.

"We advise people to keep an eye on the weather forecast for their area and only travel when necessary. We have measures in place to respond to emergencies and are working closely with our partner agencies to reach the people that need us most."

Police advice in adverse weather

Please do not walk on frozen ponds or lakes, the water may not be frozen underneath the surface.

If the roads are treacherous and have not been treated with salt please only drive if absolutely necessary and then drive slowly and carefully, allowing extra time for your journey.

If you have to travel please take appropriate warm clothing, a hot drink, some food – and a fully-charged mobile phone.

If you have to drive in snow or ice use your dipped headlights, try not to make harsh, jerky manoeuvres, keep in a high gear and don't brake too fast.

If you should need to abandon your vehicle make sure it does not block the carriageway for other road users.