March was second coldest on record

Ice at Hollingworth Lake

Freezing temperatures in March made it the joint second coldest since records began more than 100 years ago, the Met Office has said.

The average temperature in England was just 2.6C - more than 3C colder than the long-term monthly average - only March 1962 was colder at 1.9C (35F).

March was also much drier than usual but the amount of sunshine was slightly down.

In what the Met Office described as an "unusual turn", March 2013 was colder than the three preceding winter months. This last happened in 1975.

Forecasters said the cold, dry conditions were set to continue for the time being - but milder and more unsettled weather was expected next week.

Average temperatures are set to reach 7C to 8C (44F to 46F) on Saturday and 9C (48F) on Sunday.

In contrast, March last year saw people take to the beach with temperatures in places reaching the low 20s degrees.