Big freeze sparks safety fears

Ice skaters in Port Meadow, Oxford

Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire were the coldest places in the UK last night, according to forecasters.

Temperatures plummeted to nearly -12C in Benson, Oxfordshire, making it colder than Moscow and Reykjavik.

The cold snap is putting extra pressure on the emergency services, drivers and pet owners.

There are also fears people are putting themselves at risk by venturing on to ice which has formed over rivers and lakes in Oxfordshire.

Skaters in Oxford have been using Port Meadow as an ice rink.

'Highly dangerous'

British Waterways has reported the majority of the Oxford Canal and local rivers and reservoirs are frozen.

It said venturing onto the ice was "highly dangerous".

Chris Stanley from British Waterways said: "We want people to enjoy the canals, but stay away from the sides, just enjoy the picturesque views.

"If someone does enter the water, call the emergency services and try to throw something to reach them. Do not enter the water yourself."

The RSPCA urges pet owners to bring rabbits indoors

After a fatal collision on the M4, Thames Valley Police have urged drivers to take extra care during the cold snap.

They say there has been an increase in road accidents in the region because motorists have not been driving to the conditions.

They have reminded drivers to carry blankets and food with them on journeys in case of the worst.

Oxfordshire's RSPCA staff have reminded pet owners to take extra care of their animals during the freezing nights.

"People should be looking at bringing their rabbits, [for example], in the house when it's this cold," said Linzi Crump from the RSPCA.

They also should change their water regularly as it is going to be freezing."

Abingdon Marina has also frozen over and boat owners have been warned not to move their boats, as drifting shards of ice could pierce some glass fibre hulls.