This is the coldest March in the UK for 50 years, and with arctic conditions blasting the country, there are fears that this could lead to the highest winter death rate for five years
This is the coldest March in the UK for 50 years

A man has been found dead in deep snow by a farmer, while emergency services struggled to reach the area because of adverse weather conditions.

The 27-year-old was found in Brierfield near Burnley. It is thought he died on Saturday while making his way home after a night out with friends.

"Early indications suggest that it appears to be a very tragic incident where a young man has been out with friends and has become caught up in the weather last night on his journey home," Chief Inspector Derry Crorken told Sky News.

"The snow and ice has been severe in the area with many roads not passable. I would urge people to take precautions and only go out if it is necessary.

"If you do go out, then make sure friends and family know where you are and that you have suitable clothing on and your phone with you."

It is believed to be the second weather-related death in the last few days.

The severe weather is also thought to have led to the death of a woman in Cornwall on Friday 22 March. Susan Norman died when her house in Looe, Cornwall, collapsed during a landslip following torrential rain.

This is the coldest March for 50 years, and with Arctic conditions blasting the country, there are fears that this could lead to the highest winter death rate for five years.

Pensioner groups warned that the death rate among older people, who are more vulnerable to the cold, has already risen this winter.

Heavy snow and freezing winds continue to blast many parts of the UK, playing havoc with travel plans, sports fixtures and power supplies.

More than 70 people had to be rescued from their cars in Cumbria on Saturday 23 March after being stranded in huge snow drifts overnight.

In Northern Ireland, around 20,000 homes and businesses are still without electricity and approximately 1,000 homes are also without water.

In Scotland, about 5,000 homes in Kintyre are without power, with a further 1,500 homes in the north and west of Arran without electricity. Power cuts were also reported in Wales and Cumbria.

All flights at East Midlands Airport were grounded on the morning of Sunday 24 March, after it was shut by snow for several hours on Saturday,

The Met Office has issued a yellow "be aware" warning of ice for a large chunk of the UK from London in the south-east, across north Wales up to Northern Ireland and across northern England and southern Scotland.

It says snow that has settled in many areas will melt on roads and pavements by day, refreezing by night, giving rise to icy patches.

Some places, mainly in eastern England, will continue to get light snow, possibly up to a couple of inches.

Also, snow blowing off fields in strong to gale force winds will affect some roads, especially over high ground.

Bookmaker Ladbrokes has cut the odds of snow at Easter to 4/5. If it does snow, it will be the first white Easter in five years.

The cold weather comes as the UK prepares to enter British Summer Time next Sunday.

London