The headteacher of Tytherington High School has defended his decision to close the school on Monday.

Also closed due to the snow in Macclesfield were primary schools Wincle, Disley and Park Lane.

Steve Jowett, headteacher, said the safety of his 1,148 pupils and staff had to come first after four children fell in the snow, with one suffering a knee injury.

He said the phone lines were also down at the school.

He said: "I made the decision to close at 10.30am because the site was not safe.

"I looked out at the snow coming down and settling on campus and after four students fell over I felt I had a duty of care for anyone who comes on campus.

"Staff worked hard to get it in a situation that was safe but it continued to snow.

"I based the decision on the fact that we have pregnant members of staff, some kids are very small and vulnerable, and many live in Rainow and Kettleshulme and might struggle to get home. Our phone lines were down this morning too, we think a cable was broken."