Fears for older people as cold weather alert issued for the North East

The Met Office has issued a Cold Weather Alert for the North East, sparking fears for older people in the community.

Cold conditions cause thousands of deaths each year, and Age UK is calling on everyone to do their bit and keep vulnerable members of the community safe from the freezing temperatures.

A spokesman for Age UK said: "Please inform older people that there is a strong chance of temperatures falling below 2°C from Friday November 18 to Monday November 21, and make sure they have everything they need to keep warm and well.

"As you get older it takes longer to warm up which can be bad for your health. The cold thickens blood and increases blood pressure, and breathing in cold air can increase the risk of chest infections."

The charity said the ideal temperature for a bedroom is 64°F (18°C) and 70°F (21°C) for a living room.

The spokesman added: "Ask older people to check their thermostat or use a room thermometer to monitor temperature, and keep their bedroom windows shut on a winter’s night."