We visited the Greater Manchester village where people are 'always dreading' when it snows

Greater Manchester's new year's weather woes continued on Monday morning in what was set to be the first day back to normality for many. Following the Christmas holidays, commuters, pedestrians and schoolchildren were met with heavy snow, rain and freezing weather this morning (January 6).

Two Met Office weather warnings for heavy rain, snow and ice were issued for the region. Several flood alerts and warnings were also in force, and a majority of schools opted to keep their doors closed on what should be the first day back for pupils.

The schools most affected by the adverse weather were in Oldham, with the likes of Oldham College, Hopwood Hall College and Christ Church C.E. Primary School in Denshaw giving kids a day off.

Historically, Denshaw has always been one of the worst hit areas of Greater Manchester when it snows due to its unique placement above sea level and among the hills. The Manchester Evening News visited the Saddleworth village to speak to its residents and see how they were coping in what has been an eventful new year already.

David, who lives on the A672 in Grains Bar, which leads to Denshaw, said: "We're usually alright here because this is a main road and the council are really good at gritting it. I was due to go see my mother but I decided there was too much traffic.

"We're always dreading it when it snows because this road comes just off the motorway and people use it as a rat run."

Clayton Marshall, the landlord of the Printer Arms in Denshaw, says that despite it taking almost five hours to get into work, he sees the snow as a great opportunity for his business.

Speaking to the M.E.N, he said: "It can work out for us, sometimes the whole village makes its way to the pub if the snow is low