THIS week, Maldon is currently enjoying lighter evenings, sunshine and temperatures well into double figures.

It’s all a massive change from 12 months ago, when last year’s Beast from the East struck the district with freezing conditions, school closures and traffic chaos.

The Standard has taken a look back at the highlights of February and March when the Arctic outbreak crept in with unusually low temperatures across the UK.

More than four inches of snow and temperatures as low as minus ten degrees took the district by surprise.

In total, 15 schools were shut, including Tolleshunt St Nicholas, Wentworth, All Saints, Burnham Primary, Heybridge Co-operative, Heybridge Primary, Latchingdon, Plume Academy, St Francis, St Mary’s in Burnham, St Nicholas’ in Tillingham, Tollesbury, William De Ferrers School, Woodham Walter and Ormiston Rivers Academy.

Drivers had a difficult time on roads like skating rinks, with several accidents in the district, including one car which ended up on its roof in Fambridge Road, Maldon.

High street trade suffered as a result, due to motorists being advised not to drive up Market Hill in Maldon after concerns over sliding back down.

Finally, after all the snow and ice cleared, the district council issued an apology for being unable to collect rubbish for four days.

However, it wasn’t all bad news.

Sub-zero temperatures and bitter winds did not stop a great-grandmother from rolling up her sleeves and shovelling snow.

Burnham resident Jean Fleet, 97, spent her time out in the snow, clearing pathways around her house.

Granddaughter-in-law Karen Mardle said: “Nana is a complete inspiration to us all.

“This is the kind of person she’s always been. She keeps active to keep herself young.

“If there’s something that needs doing, she just rolls up her sleeves and does it.

“No-one would think she’s nearly 100 years old.”

Children who were off school took the opportunity to make snow angels, have snowball fights and create winter wonderland memories.

And with temperatures looking to be at least 20 degrees higher than they were this time last year, residents, business owners and schools are all keeping their fingers crossed that they do not see the return of the Beast.