Coldest temperature recorded at Shap in Cumbria, as BBC weather forecaster predicts Thursday night to reach -20C in parts of northern England and Scotland

• Tell us how you have been affected by snow, ice and rain in the UK

An NHS trust is preparing to cancel operations, urgently discharge 140 patients and restrict admissions to help it cope with “extreme winter pressures”.

The Gloucestershire acute trust declared a “critical incident” on Wednesday as hospitals in England asked patients seeking medical help to come alone to reduce overcrowding in A&E.