Challenging conditions for farmers

The Federation of Small Businesses said the cold snap had made for difficult harvesting conditions for potatoes, leeks, cabbages and cauliflowers.

Graham Ward, who farms from Scanton, near York, said his cauliflower crop had been destroyed. "On the whole it has been very difficult to get into the ground," he said. "This last week has been very difficult."

Meanwhile, the cold weather was making life very difficult for farmers in the uplands where blocked roads has made feed deliveries to farms increasingly difficult. The Department for Transport has relaxed rules on drivers' working hours to help feed manufacturers struggling to get feed on to farms.

David Pearson, who farms in Upper Wharfedale, said getting feed to sheep was proving very challenging across the area.