PEOPLE have been warned about freezing weather which could put the elderly and ill at risk.

The Met Office has issued its first country-wide level three cold weather alert of the winter – the second most serious.

This week, temperatures in Pershore were among the lowest in the country at -6.2C (21F). Last night, gritters were out on Worcestershire’s roads as road surface temperatures were predicted to drop as low as -10C (14F).

A fleet of 31 gritters were out last night but motorists were still warned to drive carefully and not to assume gritted roads meant it was safe to travel at normal speeds.

A spokesman for Met Office said: “This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.”

Low temperatures can raise blood pressure which puts people at a greater risk of heart attacks and strokes, while flu and respiratory problems are more likely.

Forecasters said tomorrow will see a cold front sweep south and east across the UK from the west, resulting in snow where slightly milder air meets cold air.

Up to 5cm of snow has been predicted across England and Wales tomorrow but it is more likely to fall as rain in the south and west.