As Britain faces another freezing week fears rise over further travel chaos and possible food shortage. Although experts have admitted they don't know when the big freeze will end, we seem to be in for a break from the snow, for now anyway. Bingo players will be relieved but should make the most of their trips to their bingo clubs.

Forecasters have predicted temperatures will fall below -20C by Friday and may go below the record of -27C, set in 1895, 1982 and 1995.

The Met Office's George Goodfellow said: Its probably abit early to say when we will see an end to the snow and ice. We've been hit by the absence of warm air coming off the Atlantic. Reports in the national papers today have suggested that the weather in February is set to get worse and we are in for further snowy periods.

As the snow disappears from many parts of the UK this week, bingo players should take the opportunity to get out and play.

The extended periods of freezing weather may see food prices rise, with the farmers unable to harvest vegetables and it becoming difficult to transport the goods. Stephen Alambritis, of the Federation of Small Businesses commented: We've had a run on vegetables and food and the replacements have been thin on the ground.

Media reports suggest that over 31 people have died as a result of the freezing conditions and health experts suggest that the plunge in temperatures

Health experts have warned the plunging temperatures could cause more than 30,000 extra deaths this winter, as a result of a surge in fatal heart attacks, strokes, respiratory diseases, flu and hypothermia.

With the Army being called it to help out it has been suggested the Department of Transport ignored a warning that Britain was not ready for the weather.  Edmund King, president of the AA, commented: We issued a warning but it wasnt heeded. Now were experiencing the busiest time for the AA in our 106-year history.