CHESHIRE East Council is urging residents to be good winter neighbours – as winter takes hold.

As part of the Winter Wellbeing campaign, the council would like people to check in on their friends and neighbours, especially if they are older or if they have heart or breathing problems, as they may need your help and our support.

Frost is expected over the next five days, with minimum temperatures down to between zero and minus 4C.

And with temperatures now dropping, it is worth considering if someone’s home is warm enough. Living rooms should be heated to 21C and bedrooms to 18C.

Information about heating repairs can be found at cheshireeast.gov.uk/homerepairs or by ringing 0300 123 5017. Also, note if your neighbour has enough food and medicines to prevent them having to go out in very cold or icy weather.

The council has listed some winter warning signs for residents to be on the lookout for that could indicate if something is wrong: milk still out on the doorstep late; newspapers and post stuck in the letterbox; curtains drawn during the day; lights on during the day; a home in darkness when there should be someone at home; a dog barking all day or the cat scratching to be let in; and bins not put out.