COLD weather payments have been triggered in Inverclyde following the recent cold snap.

It's been confirmed that the trigger has been activated for February 6-12 for the PA11, PA13, PA14, PA15, PA16, PA17, PA18 and PA19 postal codes.

Temperatures in Inverclyde fell so far that the Loch Thom was completely frozen over, choking off water supplies.

Cold Weather Payments are made by the UK Government to recipients of selected benefits when the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.

This was met at the weather station at Bishopton, which covers Inverclyde.

To be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment, you must receive one of Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest and meet one additional qualifying criteria.

The £25 payments will be made to eligible residents automatically.