YORKSHIRE Water has issued urgent advice to householders on how to deal with frozen pipes after the number of calls to its helpline doubled over the weekend to 700 in 24 hours.

The company has doubled staff numbers at the call centre to cope.

It urges customers to keep their homes heated at a low level and wrap all pipework, cisterns and tanks in good quality waterproof foam lagging.

If a pipe bursts, customers should turn off their stop tap, which is often located under the kitchen sink.

Frozen pipes can be thawed by applying gentle heat from a hairdryer or similar appliance, starting at the end nearest the tap.