HEAVY snowfall brought roads across Berkshire to a grinding halt this afternoon.

Beech Lane in Earley and Sonning Bridge have been closed due to the extreme conditions while traffic in other areas of the town is coming to a standstill as motorists take extra care by slowing down.

Langley Hill in Tilehurst has also closed as motorists abanond their cars.

Traffic in Reading town centre was gridlocked with drivers facing long exasperating delays just to get out of car parks at the Oracle and the Broad Street Mall.

Reading and Newbury bus services were suspended at 3.55pm with the exception of the number 17 Premier service which was operating "erratically"

First Great Western is reporting a good service but South West Trains is experiencing delays of up to one hour due to the poor conditions.

More than 5cm (2ins) of snow is expected to fall throughout the afternoon before turning to sleet and rain overnight.

West Berkshire Council gritting lorries have already been carried out on both the primary and secondary routes during the day.

These are mostly A and B roads, but include well used unclassified routes and vital links between villages.

Council spokesman Phil Spray said: "We are monitoring the conditions and will be treating these roads again as required.

"We currently have around 500 tonnes of grit in our depot with 50 tonnes due tobe delivered this afternoon, 100 tonnes due tomorrow and another 100 tonnes to be delivered on Wednesday.

"Contingency arrangements are available should our supplies drop any further, although this is not being considered at this time."

Mr Spray added: "If you have to make an essential journey then extreme caution is recommended, adjusting to the conditions by reducing your speed and leaving more room between vehicles.

"The weather has also had an impact on rubbish and recycling collections, although these are currently continuing where possible.

"West Berkshire residents are reminded that collections are currently being made a day early to allow for Christmas. The Household Waste Recycling Centre at Newtown Road in Newbury is also currently closed."

Mobile library services are suspended, while Newbury, Burghfield and Wash Common libraries will be closing 5pm rather than the usual 7pm.

* Treacherous conditions have also affected shoppers at the Oracle after a woman slipped on the Cook's Bridge at 2.15pm today. Members of The Oracle team attended to the woman as soon as they were alerted to the fall and she was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital as a precautionary measure.

*Mrs Iman Bendjedidi contacted The Chronicle to say: "Basingstoke Road is completely at a standstill and people are currently stranded in Morrison's with carpark security ordering people back into the store to wait until the situation improves.

"I have a friend who is currently stranded in Morrison's with her four young boys. She is updating us via Facebook Mobile. They were stuck in the car park for two hours at around 3pm and have now been told to leave their car and go back into Morrison's to wait. They are facing a long wait, possibly another three hours from now."

* Do you have any pictures of the Reading area in the snow? email news@readingchronicle.co.uk

* Has the snow ruined your Christmas plans? email news@readingchronicle.co.uk