An RAF Chinook helicopter yesterday joined in efforts to rescue livestock and remote communities left stranded by heavy snowfall in Northern Ireland.

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Snow continued to fall across areas of Northern and South-West England on Wednesday morning, although severe weather warnings which were still in place up until Tuesday are no longer in force.

A Met Office spokesperson told Farming Online on Tuesday that, "Although there will be snow flurries certainly up until Thursday, most areas should receive no more than 1cm of fresh snow cover. Temperatures will remain a good deal below average, with highs of around 4-5oC in many parts."  

A Chinook helicopter from RAF Odiham in Hampshire left its base yesterday morning to deliver feed to livestock and assistance to remote communities hit by heavy snowfall in Northern Ireland. Drifts have reached heights of 5 meters in some areas of county Antrim, County Down and North Wales.

Despite ongoing efforts to cope with the effects of such heavy snowfall, with farmers across the UK searching for lost animals and digging out sheep who have become buried in drifts of snow, thousands of animals are feared dead. NFU Scotland Andrew McCornick said that "The snow couldn't have hit at a worse time," as many flocks are lambing.

As temperatures are set to remain well below average, farmers believe the cold snap will continue to take its toll on newborn lambs. However, farming unions have said the extent of losses will not be known until after the thaw.

Northern Ireland agriculture minister Michelle O'Brien said on Tuesday, "I have asked that all resources available to the Executive, including emergency services, are made available to help those affected."

She added, "We asked the MoD to provide a helicopter because there was no helicopter available anywhere on this island that would be capable of taking the feed up and distributing it." She also said she would request hardship payments for farmers following "Some of the worst weather conditions these areas of the north have seen in many decades."