THE Spa's elderly were this week being urged to wrap-up and stay warm as the much-heralded cold snap finally descended on the region.

With temperatures hitting lows of around minus 5C, there was concern that the elderly should not only don snug clothing, but also keep their homes well heated.

Officials at Age Concern are hoping last month's Wear a Hat Day campaign will have helped instill in older people the importance of wearing the correct headgear when temperatures plummet.

Tips on keeping out the cold are available in the Fight the Freeze leaflets available at all Age Concern outlets. Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern England, said: "Cold weather can have a devastating impact on the health and well-being of older people in particular.

"The many practical and caring, community services provided by Age Concern around the country provide important lifelines to older people when they need it most."

On the roads around Droitwich, Worcestershire County Council has been out gritting to reduce problems for motorists and eliminate as far as possible the risk of an accident. The council's system's engineer, Bob Lloyd said: "Protecting highways from adverse conditions goes some way to providing safer surfaces for those who have no alternative but to make journeys on the roads.Having a clear road network is vital for the county's economic prospects as employees can travel to work and deliveries can be made on time."