The county has been covered by a blanket of snow over the last week but few disruptions have been seen.

Schools have remained open over the last few days and only one weather-related accident has been reported to the police.

But slippery road conditions created problems for rural businesses such as Northfield Farm, in Cold Overton, which has seen a dramatic drop in the number of customers.

More snow has been predicted over tomorrow and Saturday but Rutland County Council says that it is working hard to keep the roads safe.

The council has also seen problems with the refuse collections in rural areas and on some bus routes village stops have been missed because of the weather.

A statement from the council reads: "The council is working around the clock to keep roads clear of snow and ice during this prolonged period of low temperatures and bad weather.

"Around 700 tonnes of grit are being spread each week and supplies remain in place to continue treating roads during the current cold snap, the worst in 30 years."

Updates on the latest council activity during bad weather are provided on www.rutland.gov.uk.

RAF Cottesmore cancelled some flying because of snow and ice on the runways but managed to carry operations as and when personnel managed to clear them.

Chairman of the Stamford and Rutland branch of the National Farmers' Union, Andrew Brown, of Fairchilds Lane, Caldecott, said the weather was causing problems frozen drinking water for animals but snow was protecting root crops from frost.

Northfield Farm owner, Jan McCourt wants to see better infrastructure in place for cold snaps as his road does not even have a grit bin. He says he has lost custom around the key Christmas period as the roads, which pass over two hills, were barely accessible.

He says the farm shop had just five customers between January 2 and yesterday where normally he would have seen more than 100.

Mr McCourt, who was contacting the council daily for gritting, said: "We need more support infrastructure, there are ways of doing it but with no cost to the council. I think it has cost us and other rural businesses a great deal of money."

The council says gritting routes are reviewed at the end of each winter and any proposals put forward will be looked at.