More than £100,000 worth of rock salt has already been spread on Craven’s roads this winter.

Since last week, more than 20cm of snow has fallen across the district and temperatures have dropped as low as minus nine. Even during the day, the mercury has struggled to get above zero.

Gritting lorries have been working day and night to keep Craven’s network of roads open and at least 2,000 tonnes of rock salt has already been used. A fleet of farmers has also been out clearing roads with snow ploughs fitted to tractors.

Chris Craven, area manager for North Yorkshire County Council’s highways department, said the weather conditions were the worst he had ever seen so early in the year.

“I have been doing this job on and off for 25 years and I don’t remember ever putting this much salt down in November,” he said.

“So far 2,000 tonnes of rock salt have already been put out. We have got another 2,000 tonnes on order for next week.

“In a typical winter we spend about £600,000 gritting in Craven. Last winter it cost us £1.2 million. So far this year it has cost us £100,000, which in November is amazing.”

Mr Craven said if the bad weather continued until the spring the authority would have to consider reducing its level of service for the second time in two years. Last winter, only main roads were gritted while country lanes and estate roads were left untreated.

This week’s heavy snow has meant some children have been enjoying a day off lessons.

On Tuesday, ten schools were closed in Craven, including Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton Girls’ High School, Settle College, Aireville High School, Bradleys Both Primary, South Craven High School, Upper Wharfedale School, Cracoe and Rylstone Primary, Thornton in Craven Primary and Burnsall Primary.

Cynthia Welbourn, the county council’s corporate director for the children and young people’s service, said schools were doing everything possible to stay open to support working parents.

But she added that the safety of children and staff had to be considered and, even if the roads were clear, some of the schools had no heating or water, or movement on site was restricted, meaning they had to be closed.

Settle College was forced to cancel its musical production of Narnia when the weather took a turn for the worse over the weekend.

College principal William Bancroft said the show was due to start on Monday but has now been postponed until after Christmas. It will now go ahead on the week beginning February 7.

Across the county, officers and PCSOs from North Yorkshire Police have been providing reassurance patrols for elderly and vulnerable members of the community during the wintry weather.

Assistant chief constable Sue Cross said everyone had a part to play in looking after vulnerable people and urged neighbours to check on those who might have become housebound during the snow.

“Even if they do not need help, it is always good to see a friendly face,” she said.

The force has also issued a reminder to people to act responsibly when enjoying the snowy weather following reports of snowballs being thrown at homes and vehicles.

She said: “We don’t want to stop youngsters from enjoying the snowy weather. However, they need to think through the consequences of their actions and I urge parents to drill this message home as well.”