A GROUNDSMAN has been hailed a "snow hero" after he started work at 5am today to help keep a school open.

Despite a mountain of snow and ice, maintenance worker Paul Cook and other staff worked throughout the dawn hours to ensure that Chigwell School in Chigwell High Road was open as usual today.

While nearly all the district's other schools remain closed, the Chigwell's quads, car parks and paths were all completely cleared by the time the first day of term began this morning.

Around two thirds of pupils and all teaching staff managed to attend.

Loredana Morrison, of Chigwell's development office, said the school was probably the only one to stay open in the district today.

She added: "This could not have been possible without the dedication of our fantastic grounds staff, porters and maintenance team. [Mr Cook] is a snow hero."