A COLD weather health alert has been extended to cover the North West by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the met Office.

The amber alert for the North West of England, West Midlands, East Midlands, South East of England and South West of England is in place until 12pm on Friday, January 12.

A yellow CHA remains for the North East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, East of England and London.

All regions had previously been placed under a yellow alert from 9am on Saturday, January 6, with the Met Office forecasting a period of lower-than-average temperatures across this weekend and the coming week.

The alert covers St Helens, where the weather has felt bitterly cold today. The Met Office reports that the icy winds will leave temperatures feeling like -2C at times.

For the next week though, the forecasts do not show snow for St Helens, although could still change.

Under the new CHA system introduced by UKHSA and the Met Office, an amber alert means that cold weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service for an extended period of time, with potential for the whole population to be at risk and where other sectors may also start to observe impacts, indicating a coordinated response is required.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: "With the Met Office forecasting drops in temperature across the United Kingdom into next week, it is important to check in on the wellbeing of those most vulnerable to the cold.

"Cold weather can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections, so it can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with pre-existing health conditions.

"Temperatures are expected to turn particularly cold overnight, as we would expect at this time of year.

"If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65 it is important to try and heat the rooms where you spend most of your time, such as your living room or bedroom, in the coming days."