Sub zero temperatures have forced Newport’s Cottage Care Centre to close this week.
Treacherous roads meant that the care centre’s drivers were unable to pick up clients from Newport and the surrounding villages.
Some live as far afield as Sambrook and Shifnal.
The centre, on Upper Bar, was also hit by frozen pipes and toilets, forcing it to shut its doors on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Drivers were able to get out and deliver Meals on Wheels from Tuesday to the centre’s most vulnerable visitors.
And they were out again on Wednesday to pay home visits to all clients, as well as delivering Christmas presents.
But the continuing frost means that centre bosses cannot be sure that further closures are not around the corner.
The Cottage Care Centre deals with around 20 elderly people on a daily basis, offering them a place to socialise and see medical experts.
Centre manager Sylvia Harland said the conditions were as bad this week as any other time she can remember.
She said: “We pick up a lot of people on country lanes in remote areas.
“We just haven’t been able to get there, it’s just too dangerous.
“And even in the town the pavements are lethal so those who would walk here can’t.
“We managed to get Meals on Wheels out on Tuesday. Some of our clients would be really stuck without that.
“We’ve never been hit this hard before.
“The toilets are frozen, the washing machine flooded and there are six foot icicles on the back wall.”
The care centre only closes on Bank Holidays – but with the cold snap forecast to last into the New Year, further disruption is anticipated.
Ms Harland added: “We apologise to all those who have been inconvenienced by the closure.
“These are circumstances beyond our control but we are trying to get things back up and running.
“We are keeping in contact with all of our clients and their families to ensure that all are okay.”
By Sean Wozencroft