Weather experts are warning of potential risk to elderly people as a period of below-average temperatures is set to last for the week.

A Met Office and UK National Health Agency amber cold-health warning for Kent as well as the rest of the South East and London will remain in place until midday on Friday.

It comes after snow fell across Kent yesterday, bringing with it hazardous icy conditions in places.

The UK Health Security Agency and Met Office say vulnerable people including the elderly, very young, pregnant women and anyone with long-term health conditions are at increased risk of falling ill during the cold snap.

Kent County Council’s Director of Public Health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, said: “Heating one room to at least 18°c, having hot food and drinks and getting the free seasonal vaccines on offer if eligible can all help protect against illness brought on by the cold – reducing the need for NHS treatment or trip to busy A&E.”

Residents who are eligible for winter vaccines should visit nhs.uk to find their nearest walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site.

Daytime temperatures during the alert are expected to remain in low single figures while nights could dip below freezing, with possible morning frosts and already wet ground turning icy.

Residents are urged to check in on vulnerable family, friends and neighbours to make sure they keep safe.

The guidance is only the second cold health alert issued under the UK Health Security Agency’s adverse weather and health plan during what has been an unseasonably wet and mild winter so far.

The cold weather can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections and can have a serious health impact for older people and those with pre-existing health conditions.

However, it is not expected to snow again in Kent - with weather forecaster Jamie McBean telling KMTV: “Sadly, we’re not set for snow for the rest of the week.

“This (yesterday’s snow) is just a very brief cold pool that’s moving across the North Sea and then it’ll be in the Atlantic.

“We can expect things to be a lot drier and a lot colder than they have been.”

An amber alert signals cold weather could affect everyone's health – but particularly vulnerable people including the elderly, very young, pregnant mums, and anyone with long-term conditions.

A range of services, not just health-related like the NHS, could also be impacted.