BOSSES of small firms across the region are calling for a national conference to discuss contingency plans should the country be blanketed by snow next winter.

A spokesman for the Devon Federation of Small Businesses says that one in seven staff at smaller firms could not get to work at some point this winter because of heavy snow falls.

Earlier this month it was revealed the South West's private-sector output rose at a slower rate than expected in January, which was being blamed on the weather.

The FSB has called on the government to produce mandatory guidance for local authorities, including salt level recommendations, and to further increase its own private salt levels to supplement shortfalls where necessary.