IT really started on February 26 three years ago.

The Met Office issued a weather warning for 'wind and snow' in Somerset as the 'Beast From The East' storm approached the UK mainland.

On Thursday, March 1, 2018, after major warnings about snow set to hit, Somerset awoke to ... nothing.

The County Gazette live blog that day started with an entry which included a line to tempt fate.

"My car wasn't even frosty this morning - yet to be convinced the snow will hit," it said.

But throughout the morning, more and more precautions were being made ahead of the dowpours forecast.

Schools announced they had closed, bus routes were cancelled, and a red weather warning was issued for Somerset.

At 7.20am, the first snow fell in Taunton and across Somerset. The rest, as they say, is history.

By 10am, much of the county had a decent covering. Libraries had closed and even the courts in Taunton had shut as a precaution as the snow continued to fall.

After a brief lull at lunchtime - which many used to travel home - the snow started falling again. And this time, it meant business.

The majority of bus services were calling it a day by 2pm, with some companies sending staff home.

Still, the snow continued to fall - and didn't stop until well into the night...

On Friday, March 2, the county awoke to a winter wonderland.

Snowfall up to a couple of feet deep slept on the landscape like a thick, white duvet.

Major roads were closed, including the A303 and the A358 at various points, while almost every school in the county closed to pupils.

But there were stories of those who managed to carry on with their work despite the downpour.

4x4 owners rallied round to help staff members at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton get to and from work, while others united to help at care homes around the county.

And in Somerset, one Reliant Robin owner was determined to get to the shops.

The snow lasted for some days, meaning the people of Somerset will not forget the Beast From The East in a hurry...