Vulnerable older people in the Bradford district will be warned when a cold snap is coming this winter in a bid to save lives.

On average each winter there are about 35,000 excess deaths, many of which could have been avoided by taking simple measures.

Now, in a new partnership, the Met Office will let Age UK have advance warning when it predicts a cold snap will hit the Bradford district. Age UK Bradford & District will then issue an alert to its network of older people’s groups and partner organisations.

Age UK Bradford & District chief executive Keith Nathan said: “The winter can be a dangerous time for older people and it is not just extreme weather conditions that kill.

“Older people are more vulnerable to cold weather in general and many of the 35,000 excess winter deaths are of people aged over 65."

* For full story see today's T&A