HOMES and businesses across the Forest were left counting the cost following the weekend's bad weather.

Snow fell widely across the Forest on Sunday, while on Monday 'blizzard conditions' struck the north edge of the Dean, causing hazardous driving conditions which were described as a 'total white-out' which reduced visibility to just a few yards, particularly in Drybrook, Brierley, Ruardean and Lydbrook.

The strong winds and icy conditions also took their toll, with the old Severn Bridge closed to high sided vehicles, and the second Severn Bridge having one lane closed for emergency repairs to the carriageway surface – which was reportedly breaking up due to the effects of ice.

The freezing gales also struck and damaged many trees, with branches littering the roads around Cannop and Parkend.

Meanwhile a lilac tree was blown over onto the roof of a house workshop extension in Central Lydbrook, smashing its way through the PVC sheets.

The owner of the house told the Review: "We didn't hear it go at all, but then the gale was so loud it was incredible. It was blowing snow right off the top of Bell Hill to fall on Forge Hill, right across the other side of the valley.

"It looked spectacular, like something from a film about the arctic. All we were missing were polar bears!

"Getting the tree off the roof is going to be awkward, and rather tricky," he added.