Stranded drivers rely on the kindness of strangers

Paula Watson, 41, a child minder of Little Reeves Avenue, Amersham, was with her two children, aged 13 and 12, and a two-year-old, whom she was looking after.
She was stuck for six hours after abandoning her journey to Slough, but found that people came to her aid.
She said: "We go to ice skating lessons in Slough and we went out at about 3pm but decided to turn around half way.
"The snow became heavy and we got stuck in Stoke Poges. We were skidding and sliding all over the place. The main roads were just ice rinks.
"The nice thing was people were coming out of their houses and helping to direct traffic and helping people get up the hill in Stoke Poges.
"In Chalfont St Peter people were knocking on the car windows and giving us their Quality Streets to cheer everyone up. The children were so thrilled because they were starving. The community spirit was just brilliant - it was so lovely at this time of year. I want to say thank you to those who helped."
In Coleshill, landlord of the Harte and Magpies pub Steve Lever, welcomed 40 stranded villagers inside to sleep in his pub after Magpie Lane became impassable.
Parish councillor Gillian Bungey, who had also become stranded, said: "He welcomed people parking in his car park and the pub was packed. One girl who was stranded was crying and didn't have any money and he gave her a cup of coffee.
"One or two people he helped became waiters as staff couldn't get in. In bad times I think he was just fantastic."