So the snow finally hit Ilfracombe last Saturday after days of wondering whether we were going to be the only place in the country to escape a sprinkling of the white stuff. But after five days of braving the arctic conditions are you desperate for a thaw or still dreaming of a white Christmas in Combe this year?

The snowy weather and freezing temperatures have caused havoc with people left stranded as heavy snow caused many of our Devon roads to close, and the Tarka line to Exeter suspended their services due to repairmen being unable to travel to repair damage on the line.

The wintry weather has meant a loss of trade for local restaurants and hotels with many customers cancelling their bookings due to being unable to travel. The BBC website reported that the snow is costing Devon and Cornwall "Up to 15 million pounds a day." The snow is not bad business for everyone though, with taxi drivers more in demand as ever as people can't get their own cars out of snowdrifts or icy car parks and need to get about.

Although the snow may look like a picture perfect scene from a Christmas card, the chaos it has caused has made many Ilfracombe people feel distinctly un-Christmassy! "I ordered all my Christmas presents a couple of weeks ago and only half of them have arrived! My kids are going to be so disappointed that Santa didn't bring them what they asked for. Not only that, my brother was supposed to be coming down to Ilfracombe for Christmas for the first time in 15 years and he has had to cancel as the journey would be too dangerous. It's so disappointing"

Residents in Slade have been badly affected by the snow and ice, with one Burnside resident having to use a hammer and chisel to make a path through the ice in order to leave the house. She told Ilfracombe People "You can't even walk on the pavements it is treacherous. I feel sorry for the people in Saltmer close as taxis can't even get up there as the ice is so bad. On the plus side, once I finally made it to Tesco it was practically deserted and I got my Christmas shop done in no time!"

So are you hoping for a magical white Christmas this year in Combe? Or are you sick of the snow? Let us know by commenting below!