This month was something of a surprise, as during the weekend we all saw a fairly liberal coating of snow across the county.

This was no doubt a knock-on effect of Storm Arwen, which battered the county's roads and railways.

It is, however, a blessing that we got all of the snow, as it brings so much beauty to our towns and city, and elevates all the minute details that might otherwise go unnoticed.

For example, the individual slates on a rooftop, the delicate, twiggy branches that splinter off the larger ones on trees, snow-capped fells that are just begging for a photograph to be taken of, from a distance, and cafes always seem much more warm and inviting in the snow, as a gentle, comforting respite in the harsh, icy air.

Snow is something that we may take for granted, as not everywhere in the world, let alone the country, gets but a dusting of the stuff.

We may find it to be a nuisance, but there is a magic to snow, especially in the way it seems to illuminate everything it touches in a majestic effervescence.

For this reason, we decided to take a look back into our extensive photographic archives, to see what the snow looked like several years ago.

These photos show what some areas of the county looked like in 2016.

This, of course, was before any Covid fears, and before we even knew what a coronavirus was.

This can be seen perfectly well in the photos we have of people enjoying a little bit of sledging, turning a hill in Cockermouth into St Moritz in a snap.

However long the snow lasts, these photos serve as a reminder that our world gives back to us, and allows us to make light of our surroundings, whether that be in the form of building a formidable snow person, making snow angels, or perhaps less tranquil, a snowball fight between friends and family.

Whatever be your wintertime fancy, enjoy the snow.