Cold snap hits parts of Britain

LONDON, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Forecasters have issued severe weather warnings for the eastern half of Britain, officials said.

An Arctic blast could lower temperatures to 23 degrees in some rural areas from Scotland to East Anglia, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

The cold snap left some parts of Britain colder than Moscow and Oslo, Norway, the newspaper said.

"It is possible that East Anglia could see frequent heavy snow showers and that could, in the worst case scenario, lead to depths of 10 centimeters (3.9 inches)," forecaster Barry Grommet said.

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said sharp rises in gas and electricity prices could force many elderly people to choose between turning up the heat and buying food.

"Fear of increased winter bills is causing more than half of older people to cut back on essentials, such as food and energy, which could put their health at risk," he said. "We would advise any older person worried about making ends meet to find out if they are entitled to claim benefits, as this could help take the worry out of meeting their bills."