Last month was 'coldest December for over a century'

Last month was the coldest December for over a century, according to Met Office figures, which no doubt took its toll on older people who have chosen not to find a care home.

The average temperature in the last month of 2010 was just 1 degree C, significantly colder than the long-term average of 4.2 degree C.

It is also the coldest month on record in England and Wales since February 1986, the coldest in Scotland since February 1947 and the coldest on record in Northern Ireland.

In addition, the UK experienced its coldest year since 1910 with temperatures averaging 8 degrees C, despite records showing that in the rest of the world, 2010 was one of the warmest years on record.

This comes after news that the cold weather could increase the chance of stroke due to the fact that as the temperature drops, blood pressure increases.

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