FREEZING temperatures hit Gloucestershire 30 years ago today, making it one of the coldest places in Europe.

Temperature's plummeted to a record-breaking minus 20.1C, the Echo reported.

Cheltenham was colder than Poland and the freak weather brought chaos to roads and homes.

Motorists tried to thaw frozen diesel with blow-lamps while householders battled with frozen pipes and burst mains.

More than 120 vehicles – mainly articulated lorries – were abandoned on the M5.

Cheltenham's Parks Department recorded a temperature of -20.1 degrees centigrade, the lowest since records began in 1869.

Social workers and volunteers were appealing for bedding, warm clothing and heating appliances to hand out to those in need.

John van der Waals, senior social worker in Cirencester, said: "We all have a role to play in keeping an eye on those who are at risk." Nurses at Cheltenham Hospital were sleeping on the wards to ensure they were available to look after the patients.

Diesel fuel in buses was left frozen by the intense cold, hitting many services in the North Cotswolds.

David Pulham, who ran Bourton-on-the-Water company Pulham's Coaches, said: "Even a can of anti-freeze kept inside one of the garages and used to top up buses has frozen."

The heavy snowfall left Gloucestershire County Council bosses red-faced after it emerged that they could not reach the emergency heating equipment.

Many schools were shut after pupils were unable to make it in. Snowploughs had to battle to reach the emergency stores at Ullenwood civic defence bunker.

A crisis also loomed for pubs after beer supplies came under threat.

Deliveries were suspended by some breweries.

OPINION, P8