Fighting the cold - Check older neighbours

SO many of our European and American friends find it difficult, if not amusing, to watch as we struggle with a relatively harmless period of cold weather.

Schools close and transport grinds to a halt as if we were in the grip of some ice-age catastrophe rather than a moderate cold snap.

There is, however, a vulnerable group who deserve our attention. Older people, no matter how proudly they guard their privacy and independence, may find this weather more challenging than they might care to admit. Pensioners, especially the thousands paid in sterling, may find heating their homes difficult.