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Pub patrons stranded for three nights by snow, storm

Snow is still piled high against the pub – with roads in the area remaining impassable. Photo: AAP

Snow is still piled high against the pub – with roads in the area remaining impassable. Photo: AAP Photo: AAP

Staff at a British pub cut off by snow have enjoyed a karaoke night as they remained stuck for a third night.

On Friday, 61 people became trapped in the Tan Hill Inn in the Yorkshire Dales after heavy snow fell during Storm Arwen.

Despite already spending two days stuck in the pub, some guests claim they “don’t want to leave” after enjoying the 17th-century hotel’s hospitality.

Many have been sleeping on makeshift beds and mattresses on the floor, but they have been treated to films on a projector screen, a quiz night and a buffet meal amongst other comforts.

Oasis tribute band Noasis has provided musical entertainment – with the musicians among the stranded since their gig at the pub on Friday.

The inn is 528 metres above sea level, the highest in Britain. General manager Nicola Townsend, 51, told the PA news agency: “It’s just been lovely and everyone is in really good spirits… it’s a really good atmosphere.

“They’ve formed quite a friendship… like a big family is the best way I can describe it.

“One lady actually said ‘I don’t want to leave’.”

On Saturday night, guests thanked the seven members of staff stuck inside with them by presenting them with a jar filled with about £300 ($A562) in cash.

On Sunday, the pub laid on a traditional lunch before guests and staff worked together to decorate the bar for Christmas and prepare for a night of karaoke.

Ms Townsend, from Leyburn, said she flet many of those stranded – including herself – will stay in touch long after they had been freed.

Ms Townsend said they first realised they were trapped after a blizzard on Friday.

“The blizzards were horrendous, how the snow was drifting, it was going all the way up to almost the bedroom windows,” she said.

A tunnel has since been dug out of the front door of the pub, but nearby roads are not yet usable in part due to fallen power cables.

Ms Townsend said mountain rescuers had made it through the snow to attend to one guest who required medical attention for an ongoing condition.

Tens of thousands of people in the north of the UK remained without power on Monday (Australian time) after Storm Arwen brought sleet, subzero temperatures and disruptions across much of the country.

Icy gusts caused power cuts along the border between Scotland and England.

Northern Powergrid had 1100 instances of damage requiring significant repairs. It said it was trying to restore service to 40,000 customers, while the SP Energy Networks said 21,000 customers remained without power Sunday.

“The storm was well forecasted and despite being prepared, Storm Arwen resulted in damage of a scale and intensity not seen for 15 years,” said Rod Gardner, Northern Powergrid’s major incident manager.

Forecasters have warned the “coldest night of the season” would hit parts of Britain on Sunday night, with temperatures dropping to as low as -10 degrees.

-AAP

Topics: Britain
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