THE cold weather is dampening the devotion of Swindon's elderly.

A recent survey, carried out in Swindon by Powergen Staywarm, shows that the colder than average temperatures are forcing them to keep warm by making themselves a cup of tea or coffee rather than snuggling up to their partners under the duvet.

When asked how they preferred to counter their winter chills, 81 per cent of respondents said their favourite method was to make themselves a hot drink just 15 per cent said they would use their partner as their own personal hot water bottle.

That is in stark contrast to their counterparts in the north where a red hot 47 per cent said that they liked to snuggle up to their partners in a bid to stave off the cold.

Other solutions to keeping the cold at bay included keeping warm by eating a hearty stew, switching on the central heating or fire, keeping the curtains closed and wearing extra clothes.