The telephone and internet advice service, NHS Direct, has a 50% increase in calls due to illnesses linked to the cold weather.

Alternative remedies can be dangerous for children and can even prove fatal, according to a study carried out in Australia

NHS Direct chief executive is Nick Chapman explains how the helpline is coping with the increased number of calls.

The number of people who have died with flu this winter has now hit 27 after another 10 deaths, official data shows.

One of the biggest challenges during the current cold spell has been getting patients safely to hospital and air ambulance teams have been inundated with call-outs.