PEOPLE in Bury should dig out their hats and gloves for the week ahead, with a period of severe cold weather forecast for the region.

The Met Office have warned there is an 80 per cent probability of plunging temperatures that could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.

Forecasters have issued a yellow severity warning for cold weather – meaning people should be alert and ready as temperatures on Tuesday evening, November 28, dip below freezing.

An added wind-chill factor will mean temperatures in Bury on Tuesday evening could feel equivalent to minus two degrees Celsius.

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

“High pressure will bring generally dry and settled conditions through this period, with clear skies and light winds allowing a widespread moderate frost to occur tonight and tomorrow night. A Level 2 Cold Weather Alert for all regions, except London, will be triggered.

“From Wednesday onwards cloudier and slightly less cold conditions will arrive across northern England, therefore overnight frosts become fewer and less severe, and the trigger criteria are unlikely to be met across northern areas, while perhaps persisting further south until almost the end of the forecast period.”

They added: “Prolonged periods of cold weather can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases.”

The cold weather warning is forecast to last until Friday, when temperatures are expected to rise.

For regular weather updates, visit burytimes.co.uk/li/weather.in.Bury