HELENSBURGH'S trains have been cancelled for a third day as the effects of the heavy snow which fell on Scotland this week continue to bite.

The A814 between Helensburgh and Dumbarton is now open after snow drifts and abandoned cars were cleared from the route, though Argyll and Bute Council has advised that the carriageway is narrow and there are banks of snow in some locations along the route.

The A818 via Blackhill and Arden remains clear.

However, the A817 Haul Road between Garelochhead and Luss will remain closed until at least Monday.

ScotRail services on the Helensburgh-Edinburgh and West Highland Line routes remained suspended on Saturday morning despite attempts to clear snow from the line.

However, for passengers elsewhere, trains are running every 30 minutes between Balloch and Anniesland, between Milngavie and Edinburgh, and between Dalmuir and Rutherglen (via Yoker).

A diesel locomotive with a snowplough and an empty electric train made it as far as Helensburgh on Friday on 'line proving' runs, but due to strong winds and drifting snow ScotRail decided it was not safe to reopen the line to passenger trains.

In common with many other towns across Scotland and beyond, shoppers have reported bare shelves in many stores, with bread and milk particularly scarce.

Local bus services run by Garelochhead Coaches and Wilson's of Rhu are all now running as scheduled, while First Glasgow has advised that its 1B service between Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Glasgow is back in operation, though unable to access the terminal point in Glasgow Street in Helensburgh.

Argyll and Bute Council is due to reach a decision by 2pm on Sunday at the latest on whether it will be safe for schools in the Helensburgh and Lomond area to reopen on Monday.