Snow fell in abundance on the first weekend of 1985 - and children took full advantage of it on Butser Hill.

This picture from the East Hampshire Post of January 10, 1985, shows some of them hurling snowballs at a massive snowman - there was enough of the white stuff to build it ten feet high.

More than 6,000 people headed to the top of the hill to slide back down it on sledges, tin trays and plastic sacks.

Traffic chaos ensued, with around 1,000 cars left in narrow lanes approaching the summit and others parked on both sides of the A3.

Queen Elizabeth Country Park manager Tim Laker blamed the problems on drivers being reluctant to pay the 70p car park charge. Many were hit with a £10 parking fine instead.

Mr Laker said: “If the snow continues we would like to see more co-operation in using the designated car parks and keeping off the main roads.”

The country park management later waived the 70p parking charge, but to no avail.

Police traffic sergeant David Pople said: “There is no need for it when the country park is generously waiving its parking charges, and thoughtless parking does create problems.

“It not only prevents the snowplough and gritting lorry getting through, but could cause an even more serious problem if someone had an accident on the slopes and there is no way an ambulance can get through.”

Thirty East Hampshire District Council workmen battled the snow all day on the Sunday, January 6, with 12 snowploughs - seven of which doubled as gritters. Most major routes were cleared by 10.30am.

The workmen had been salting the roads for the previous four days, but as usual the vagaries of the British weather wrong-footed everyone.

Superintendent Peter Lewis said: “We did not expect quite so much snow so quickly.”