It’s coastal proximity means our town swerves the worst of heavy snowfall but that hasn’t always been the case. Looking back through the archives, the notorious winter of 1963 was the year which saw massive snow drifts and the rare event of the sea freezing over off the Fylde Coast. The winter of 1947 was described as being the hardest in living memory and in more recent times, the winter of 2009-2010 was recognised as being the coldest in decades. Other notable times were 1981 and the mid 1950s. The photos are fascinating, particularly the ones from the 1940s which show incredible depths of snow and people having to dig their way out.

7. wbeg-09-12-22-skiing policeman-NW
This is PC Goldie skiing - in Blackpool! 1960s perhaps? Photo: Submit

8. Freezing Blackpool
PC Ian Dover keeps himself warm by shovelling snow from the roads in 1982 Photo: Submit


10. Freezing Blackpool
Most schools were closed for a day or two but these hardy chaps were determined to get through in Fairhaven, 1982 Photo: Submit


12. Freezing Blackpool
Workmen clearing the snow drifts near the Miners Home at Bispham in 1940 Photo: staff