The UK has been hit by a bitterly cold snap this week as temperatures dropped close to -10C. The freezing weather has led to official warnings from Public Health England, urging the public to look out for vulnerable people.

The cold blast is thought to have claimed the lives of at least four individuals including an 89-year-old woman in Scotland.

East Dunbartonshire police confirmed a body has been found in the search for missing pensioner Helen Maider.

She was last seen at around 6am at the junction of Balmuildy Road and Stirling Drive in Bishopbriggs.

In a statement the force said: “Police in East Dunbartonshire can confirm a body has been found in the search for missing woman Helen Maider in the Bishopbriggs area.

“Formal identification has yet to be carried out however her family has been informed and the death is not being treated as suspicious.”

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Public Health England released a cold weather alert following the arrival of the plummeting temperatures.

Consultant in Public Health at Public Health England Dr Emer O’Connell said: “Older people and those with heart and lung problems are at risk of getting sick in cold weather.

“Keep an eye out for those who may need help staying warm, ensure they wear lots of thin layers and have everything they need.

“Below 18 degrees, changes to the body mean that the risk of strokes, heart attacks and chest infections increase so heating homes to this temperature is particularly important to stay well.”

The Met Office has said low temperatures will continue on Wednesday after -9.9C was recorded in Braemar, north-east Scotland, earlier this week.

Due to the freezing conditions, the weather agency has issued cold weather warnings in large parts of England.

A new warning came into force on Wednesday, downgraded from the yellow alert issued on Monday.

The new green alert level advise: “There are actions you can take to reduce the risk of harm to health from cold weather.

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“These include fitting draught proofing to seal any gaps around windows and doors, making sure your loft, cavity walls, hot water cyclinder(s) and pipes are insulated.

“Contact your GP or pharmacist if you think you, or someone you care for, might qualify for a free flu jab.”

The Cold weather health watch comprises five levels of response based on cold weather thresholds.

The alert is the minimum state of vigilance during the winter.

Met Office Meteorologist Alex Deakin has also warned of a “cold wind” across the country which will make temperatures feel even cooler.

He said: “Don’t expect it to feel any warmer – a cold wind picking up through the night will be felt for most of Wednesday.

“It won’t be completely dry but many places will have a fine day.

“There will be some rain across western parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland where there will be quite a brisk wind blowing.

“That stiff wind also blowing may bring a few showers through parts of Pembrokeshire, Devon, Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly.

“But elsewhere most places will be dry with maybe a few showers creeping into parts of east Anglia.”

Help Us, Help You: Winter advice from NHS England

The Help Us Help You campaign focuses on helping the public understand which NHS service is best for them to use.

‘Help Us, Help You’ aims to direct the general public to the right health services during the winter months, helping to ensure that people understand when they should use NHS 111, community pharmacists, and evening/weekend appointments with GPs, nurses or other healthcare professionals.

Additionally, the campaign helps to educate the public on how they can stay well during the winter months and help prevent elderly relatives getting poorly.

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