Angry town centre traders in Frome claim untreated council car parks left icy surfaces treacherous and caused major problems to shoppers on the busiest weekend of the year.

Past chairman of Frome and District Chamber of Commerce Andrew Prince, of Studio Prints, said the Market Yard car park and the bridge that links the car park with the Westway Precinct in the town centre were ungritted by Mendip District Council and full of compacted ice and snow.

He described the response by the district council to his concerns as "scandalous".

He said: "I was told that the snow and ice was considered an 'act of God' and that if salt was put down the council could be sued if someone fell and hurt themselves. Cost was another reason why nothing had been salted.

"I find this attitude completely unbelievable. The fact that they will not do anything for fear of being sued is scandalous."

Mr Prince said that salt bins in car parks were empty and in one case had been taken away completely.

Kay Chapman, manager of the Westway Centre, said the centre's security guard on duty at the weekend had been extremely concerned about the untreated icy conditions causing customers to slip.

She said: "He was advising people to walk under the walkway and keep from walking in the centre of the precinct which was extremely slippery."

David Chedgy, co-owner of Ellenbray Press, also in the precinct, said although trade had been busy over the weekend he was aware that the slippery car parks could have put people off.

He said: "I noticed that Vicarage Street car park was lethal too. This cold spell has taken everyone unawares."

Mendip's car parks manager said: "Due to budget prioritisation and health and safety implications the council has a policy not to grit car parks."

Frome police have said there were more than six accidents in the town and surrounding area earlier this week attributed to the adverse weather.

They occurred in West Woodlands, Murdercombe, near Mells, Summer Hill, Berkley, King Street, Frome and Leighton.

King Street was closed last Sunday after a lorry got stuck due to the ice.

A spokesman for Frome police said: "We would advise drivers only to go out if it is essential. Over the past few days, getting to the main roads has proved hazardous in certain locations.

"We are urging motorists to avoid narrow lanes and only use main roads. Anyone who has to travel is advised to be prepared, take adequate clothing, a blanket, a flask of something hot and some food.

"And lastly, we would urge drivers to make sure they have a fully charged mobile phone in case of an emergency."

But the snow was not all bad news.

For children, it made a great start to the school holidays and at the start of the week youngsters could be seen out and about enjoying themselves.