More than 100,000 homes still without power after Storm Arwen

The Energy Networks Association (ENA) said about 155,000 properties were still suffering with power cuts on Monday afternoon, and described the destruction of electricity lines as the worst seen in Britain since 2005.

This comes as parts of the UK faced the coldest night of the autumn so far, including Shap in Cumbria, north-west England, which the Met Office said recorded the lowest temperature of the season so far at minus 8.7C (16.34F).

Bridlington in East Yorkshire, meanwhile, recorded high levels of rainfall, with 14.6mm of rain overnight on Sunday.

Since Storm Arwen battered the UK over the weekend, some 870,000 homes have had their power restored by engineers, the ENA said.

A spokesperson said: “Thousands of engineers are working to restore power to customers as quickly and safely as possible.

“In addition, and where safe to do so, energy networks are also deploying helicopters and drones to identify and assess damage.

“Engineers are continuing to uncover snapped electricity poles, downed wires and other complex faults.

“In some areas of the country the damage is some of the worst seen since 2005. Snowfall in some areas is making access very difficult.”

Britons saw a mix of weather on Sunday, with a range of sunshine, rain, sleet and snow.

A Met Office spokesman, Oli Claydon, said that the second coldest night of the season had been Saturday night.

“The previous low was minus 6.4C which was recorded in Shap in Cumbria on the 28th.

“Over last night we recorded minus 8.7C (16.34F), also in Shap.”

However, the cold temperatures will be replaced by a warming trend on Monday, followed by another dip in temperatures on Wednesday night.

“There is a bit of a warming trend through the day today (Monday).

“The whole of the UK will turn milder. The places that will hold on to the cold air the longest will be in the south-east of the UK.

“The low temperatures will return on Wednesday and Thursday night.

“However, I don’t think it will be quite as low as we have seen before.

“It will still be below zero, but more like minus 4C (24.8F) or minus 5C (23F).”

The London Ambulance Service (LAS) and charity Age UK have urged people to look out for elderly relatives who are most likely to suffer adverse health effects in cold weather.

Age UK advised people to keep moving and ensure they get their winter vaccines, while LAS urged people to check on their grandparents.

LAS said in a statement: “Please look out for family, friends and neighbours who may be vulnerable in colder weather.

“Just popping in for a cup of tea and making sure they are stocked with groceries and their heating is working could make a huge difference.”