Life is returning to normal in the heart of the county today as the worst of the icy blast seems to have gone.

Eastern Daily Press: Clearly not a morning for using the bike, Dereham. Picture by Bill PoundClearly not a morning for using the bike, Dereham. Picture by Bill Pound (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

There has been no fresh snow but temperatures have dropped as low as -10C in places.

Eastern Daily Press: Falling over sledging on the Fen in ToftwoodFalling over sledging on the Fen in Toftwood (Image: Archant)

Motorists are being advised to dry with care in the tricky conditions. There have been no reports of any real problems.

All schools in the Dereham, Fakenham and Wells areas are open although Fakenham Infants and Junior schools are opening at 9.30am.

On Monday frozen pipes caused Dereham, Wells and Docking recycling centres - as well as six others in Norfolk - to shut. But Hempton stayed open.

The weather has forced Dereham Flower Club to rearrange its AGM and lunch due to be held at Barnham Broom Country Club on Thursday, (January 24). It will now be held on Thursday, February 7 due to the adverse weather conditions.

Breckland Council has given an update on bin collections.

It said: 'All our collection crews are working today emptying green and brown bins in the district. However we are still experiencing some difficulties accessing estate roads and rural roads due to the poor road conditions.

'Please leave your green and brown wheeled bins out for collection on your normal collection day and we will empty your bin as soon as it is safe to do so.

'We were unable to complete all recycling collections in the district last week due to the adverse weather. Please return unemptied bins to your properties and we will collect the black bins along with any additional recycling on the next scheduled collection - week beginning 28 January.

'We apologise for the inconvenience caused.'

Dereham DIY in the High Street said it had sold out of 60 sledges and was waiting for more stocks to arrive.

Meanwhile, a Dereham cafe has been going door-to-door to drum up business during the cold weather and thank workers who have struggled in through the snow.

Flour and Bean, in the Market Place, found it was wasting a lot of produce because of reduced footfall since the snow arrived, and decided to try something new while its delivery van was off the road.

Catering assistant Laura Elliott spent this morning visiting about 50 businesses in the town centre promoting hot drinks at 99p and hot savoury items at half price for people working in Dereham, and offering to deliver to them.

She said hot chocolate had proved to be the most popular item, reduced to 99p from it usual £2.60, and sausage rolls, at 75p instead of £1.35, were also proving a hit.

She said: 'We wanted to say hello to people, and tell them they don't have to come to us, we will come to you. It is to cheer people up a bit.

'It's for everyone who works in Dereham and who has dragged themselves to work because a lot have not. It's our reward to them.

'People have been happily surprised that we are offering a delivery service as it stops them getting their feet wet.'

She said the shop would be repeating the offer on Tuesday.

Have you got a photo or snow story from the Dereham, Fakenham or Wells area? If so, please send it to Ian Clarke at ian.clarke@archant.co.uk