HEAVY snow caused chaos in Bolton again yesterday as a motorway was partially closed and bus services were cancelled.

Several buses were taken off the road or diverted and the M61 was partially blocked by the snow near junction six at Rivington.

The Met Office had issued a yellow warning for Bolton, and there was snow, as well as sleet and strong winds, throughout the day and into the evening.

Schools were closed for halfterm, but Bolton Council’s gritters were out throughout the day trying to make the roads passable.

There were still problems on the roads, however. Maytree Travel’s 570 bus service was cancelled and several other services, including those travelling through the Brazley Estate, in Horwich, and Lincoln Avenue, were running reduced services.

Maytree also diverted some routes to avoid Willows Lane, Morris Green and Hulton Lane, and First Bus diverted its routes to avoid Padbury Way.

Several businesses were affected, including Bolton Hospice, which closed three of its shops due to the weather.

Temperatures felt as low as -5C because of the wind chill factor, weather experts said.

The snowfall was followed by sleet and high winds in the early evening and visibility was poor.

Rain and drizzle are forecast to return today.