Thousands of people on the lowest incomes in the North East will receive a £25 cold weather payment due to the freezing conditions.

The Government payments have been triggered for eligible households in areas where the average temperature has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days.

The Met Office has warned that temperatures “falling close to minus 10C” could be recorded in rural parts of the UK.

Read more: Met Office: Forecast reveals when it could snow again in North East

The bank top-up of £25 will be in eligible people’s bank account within 14 days of the trigger, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said.

People claiming pension credit, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, universal credit and support for mortgage interest could be eligible for the cold weather payments, DWP guidance says.

Using the Government postcode checker, you can see if a payment is due in your area.

It comes as weather warnings have been extended into the weekend as drivers have been warned of dangers on the roads in parts of the UK.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a Level 3 cold weather alert covering England until Monday.

The Met Office has warned motorists that wintry showers will create hazardous, icy patches on some roads over the coming days during the cold snap.

The icy conditions in coastal England are expected to continue into Saturday, it has warned.

It said some disruption is likely, with icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths likely to cause disruption.

Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces are also likely, it has said.

The Met Office has urged people to take extra care when driving or walking and to consider not cycling in the icy areas.

A DWP spokesman said: “These additional payments provide support every year to help people experiencing the coldest weather.

“Cold weather payments can be triggered right through to the end of March, giving people facing disproportionately cold weather that extra reassurance over the chillier months.”

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