Parents can now find out about bad weather closures at school by phoning a new Orkney Islands Council hotline. Information about school closures will be available from 7.30am every morning by phoning the Council's main switchboard number on 873535.

A final decision is made at 7.10am about what schools are closed and any re-arranged transport issues.

By 7.15am a report, which contains information on closed schools, non-operating transport routes and closed ferry services is sent to Radio Orkney and the new radio staion Superstation Orkney. If Kirkwall Grammar school is closed, Grainshore Training Centre and The Orkney College are also closed to students. If Glaitness and Papdale Primary Schools are closed, the Strynd Nursery is also closed.