Devon County Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for adult social care is calling on people to remember older or vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours today, as snowy weather affects most parts of the county.

Devon County Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for adult social care is calling on people to remember older or vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours today, as snowy weather affects most parts of the county.

Cllr Stuart Barker said:

"Our social services are operating well today, and we're doing all we can to maintain service as usual.

"But I'd like to ask the public to contact their elderly or vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours, to check they're well and have all that they need today.

"Our advice is for people to stay inside as much as possible; keep warm and ensure that you have lots of fluids and warm drinks; eat what you can; let people know you are OK, such as family, friends and care providers.

"People's care may be delayed today, but you will be kept informed.

"If you are really struggling and cannot reach your Care Provider, contact Care Direct on 0845 155 1007."

Devon County Council's Care Direct service, which is the access route into social services, is working as normal today taking calls from the public. They, and the Council's Care Direct Plus teams are handling the majority of queries and issues arising from the cold weather.

Meals on Wheels services are affected, but with the primary routes and some secondary routes treated, the Council is expecting most people still to be enjoying their meals today as usual.

Similarly carers delivering home care are operating as best they can under the circumstances, visiting people at home and making sure they are well and have all they need.

In problem areas, where home carers or meal delivery drivers are finding it difficult to reach due to the weather, priority is being given first to the most vulnerable people.

Domiciliary care providers, contracted by the Council, are working together to reach as many people as possible.

And where a visit is not possible, the Council's Care Direct Plus teams are telephoning emergency contacts, identified in people's care plans, to make sure those people have all the assistance they need today.

Many day centres are remaining closed today, with all attendees being contacted to make sure they are well.

Elsewhere, most of the county's libraries are open today, although mobile library routes are not running. Changes at the following libraries are:

Teignmouth library will be closing at 1pm today rather than 7pm Clyst Vale library, which is part of the school, is closed today Tiverton library is closed this morning, but hopes to open this afternoon between 1pm and 4pm Cullompton library will be closing early today, at 4pm rather than 5pm Chulmleigh library is closed

All libraries opening times will continue to be reviewed regularly today.

If people have items due back to their library today, they can renew them calling the the Council's Customer Service Centre on 0845 155 1001.

For enquiries to Care Direct, contact 0845 155 1007.