FREEZING weather continued to cause disruption over the weekend.

Experts said Friday was the coldest night of the winter so far, with temperatures of -17.8°C in Chesham, Bucks and -10°C across Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

The mercury fell to -5.5°C in Notts on Friday and failed to rise above zero all day in some parts of the county, dropping to -4°C again on Saturday night.

The cold weather meant city bars did see a fall in custom – but a few revellers still braved the weather in sleeveless tops and mini skirts.

Barman Jonathan Flaxon, of Cape, in Pelham Street, said: "I think it has been quieter, even though we've had functions

"Last night we were quite busy – people weren't dressed for the weather at all."

The latest figures from East Midlands Ambulance Service show the number of emergency calls received throughout last week were up around 15 per cent from average.

Meanwhile, the freezing temperatures also disrupted sports across the county, with the amateur football fixture list decimated.

Nottingham Forest's game against Watford went ahead, despite snow still surrounding the edge of the pitch, but other games were postponed.

Nottingham Rugby Club called off its match against Leeds Carnegie, while Mansfield Town were forced to postpone their home game against Fleetwood Town, which will now take place tomorrow.

Notts County also confirmed the team's game against Rochdale had been postponed after a pitch inspection on Friday deemed Spotland unfit to play on.

The club's home game against Stevenage also had to be cancelled last weekend following a frozen pitch.

Officials are optimistic that Tuesday's game against Exeter at Meadow Lane will go ahead, with temperatures set to rise this week.

But warnings of ice from drizzle and melting snow remain in place tonight as temperatures look set to drop to 3C.

From tomorrow the cold snap will begin to ease with highs of 7°C expected.

Later on in the week temperatures are expected to rise to 10°C.