Freezing cancer patients are relying increasingly on charity handouts to keep warm shocking statistics reveal.

As the Met Office warned that temperatures in the West could fall as low as minus 7C Macmillan Cancer Support revealed that the cost of its fuel grants across the region has leapt by 42 per cent in a year.

Across Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire 292 patients have received a total of £58,190. And organisers of the Surviving Winter appeal in Somerset have revealed that even the "fantastic" £50,000 donated to it so far this winter by people who do not need their own Winter Fuel Payments is not enough to meet demands.

Sarah Beaven, Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Specialist for the region said: "To feel too scared to put the heating on because of soaring energy bills is an unacceptable reality for thousands of vulnerable cancer patients who feel the cold more and spend long periods of time at home.

"When the charity was established 100 years ago, founder Douglas Macmillan helped cancer patients by handing out sacks of coal to keep them warm. It is shocking that a century on, people who are diagnosed with this devastating disease are still relying on charity help to heat their freezing homes."

The Met Office said bitterly cold and mostly dry weather will continue until Saturday when an Atlantic Front will come in.

Paul Gundersen, Deputy Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: "As this front moves in from the west it will come up against cold air and we're likely to see a mixture of rain, sleet and snow across the UK."

In Somerset the A39 re-opened yesterday after being closed between Porlock Hill and County Gate because of high winds and fine snow.