ELDERLY people relying on Meals on Wheels services in many areas of the district will not receive their food today (Monday). No deliveries are being made to residents in St Albans or Bricket Wood, but the London Colney Meals on Wheels team have battled th

ELDERLY people relying on Meals on Wheels services in many areas of the district will not receive their food today (Monday).

No deliveries are being made to residents in St Albans or Bricket Wood, but the London Colney Meals on Wheels team have battled the extreme weather conditions to provide hot meals to the elderly they serve.

The volunteer drivers travelled to the Jubilee Centre in St Albans to collect the hot food and then distributed it to 14 elderly and housebound people in the village.

London Colney Meals on Wheels organiser, Celia Shears, said: "I think the volunteer drivers today deserve a pat on the back for going out in such conditions but we all agreed that on a day like today it is so important that our customers receive their hot meal."

A former worker for the St Albans service, who did not wish to be named, said she was very concerned about the elderly people going without a hot meal on such a cold day.

She also said it was the first time in the history of the service that it has ever been cancelled. She added: "In all that time and weather conditions, with blizzards and snow up to our knees, we never, ever cancelled. But we get a little bit of snow today and it all stops."

Meanwhile gritting vehicles have been working hard to keep the main roads of the county clear.

The Herts Highways gritting teams went out four times overnight on Sunday and will continue to grit and clear the roads as further snow showers persist today and tonight.

Ploughing has also taken place since the first snowfall overnight and assistance from the district councils has been mobilised. Farmers in rural areas have also been helping and

Herts Highways have been working with the police to identify and deal with local blockages in priority order.

Stuart Pile, executive member for highways, transport and rural affairs, said: "Thanks to the hard work of Herts Highways, most A and B roads around the county are passable with care. However, with more snow likely, please consider whether your journey is necessary. If you must travel, please stick to main roads as these are more likely to have been salted."

On every salting trip, 58 gritting lorries cover nearly half of the county's entire road system - more than 1,500 miles.

Wintry weather is affecting some of the county council's work but updates can be found on the website www.hertsdirect.org