A drive to help tenants reduce fuel consumption and lower their heating bills has been completed by the Vale Housing Association as part of its Affordable Warmth strategy.

Measures introduced by the Abingdon-based association, which has 5,000 properties, include providing new tenants with more information about fuel tariffs and methods of payment.

Some staff have been trained to City and Guilds standard on providing energy advice.

The association has been working closely with the Vale of White Horse District Council and other agencies.

The RSPCA is urging people to take steps to help pets and wild animals survive the cold snap.

Outdoor pets should be given plenty of bedding and moved into a shed or garage.

The charity says ponds should be checked every day to make sure the water has not frozen. If it has, a saucepan of hot water should be put on the surface to melt the ice.

Stale cake, moist breadcrumbs and bacon rind can be left out for garden birds.