SURPRISE springtime snow led to mixed feelings at the weekend.
As cars struggled through the wintry weather, others enjoyed the cold snap and braved the sub-zero temperatures to have a great day out.
Many events, such as the Brentwood Half Marathon on Sunday, went ahead as planned, although the Royal British Legion Youth Band was forced to call off its appearance due to the sub-zero temperatures.
Band director John Wyndham said: "We have a duty of care to the young people in the band and it would have been dangerous to have let them play in the freezing weather.
"You can't have ten-year-olds standing around in the cold conditions.
"We didn't want to call it off but it would have been unsafe.
"The band was definitely relieved that they weren't going out, it certainly wouldn't have been any fun."
Dog walker Kyle Linzell took to Weald Country Park with his canine companion Cooper on Saturday.
He said: "The freak weather was a slight hindrance as my football got cancelled.
"However, it was nice to get out in the snow and enjoy a walk with my girlfriend and her sister's dog at our local park.
"Cooper is a massive fan of the snow as well."
Shoppers were captured by our photographer battling blizzard conditions along Ingatestone High Street on Saturday.
Brentwood High Street was turned a brilliant white too, with traders reporting steady but unimpressive sales.
Helen Blower, 67, who suffers from osteoporosis, hates snow and ice as a fall could cause her serious harm.
She said: "I haven't been out at all. I took a look outside and it looked treacherous," she said.
"For people like me, the cold and snowy weather can keep us trapped in our homes, unable to go out. Not enough is done by the council to keep the paths safe."
