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As freezing temperatures continue and the cost of living soars, people are turning to 'warm banks' for respite.

But they have become so essential for some, the fear that they might be closed over Christmas is leaving users anxious and worried.

Warm banks are popping up around the country, with an aim to help those struggling to heat their homes during the colder months.

They have been established by councils, community groups and charities, offering people a warm welcoming space, and often food and refreshments too.

Carol Morrison regularly attends a local warm bank set up in southeast London in a community library, set up and run by volunteers. She said it has been a "lifeline" during the cold snap.

"When I'm here, it's like everything disappears, I don't have to worry about anything," she told Sky News.

But on most days the warm bank has to shut by 5pm, leaving Carol with "nowhere else to go".

It comes at a time when energy prices have soared, leaving many people struggling to pay their gas and electricity bills.

Unable to heat her home, Carol heads straight to bed most evenings.

"What else is there? I don't want to sit in the front room, it's cold, I just lie in bed."

In London, all councils have said they will provide a warm bank scheme.

But inevitably many people who rely on them will face a difficult Christmas and New Year as many warm banks will be shut during the festive period.

Cold weather taking physical and mental toll

Carol doesn't know how she'll get through the holiday - her local warm bank won't open again until the new year.

The cold weather paired with rising living costs have had a huge toll on her wellbeing - intensifying her arthritis.

"My joints seize up and once my joints seize up I can barely walk," she said.

"When it's cold my back ends up in a lot of pain. The pain is the worst. It's excruciating."

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She said it has also had a huge impact on her mental health.

"It's depressing. I find myself very isolated, not wanting to speak to people, not caring, just feeling low.

"I never thought that if you retire, this is what it's like. I would never have thought that it would have got this bad."

As we enter the festive season, it will be a season filled with dread for Carol.

All she wants is to be able to stay warm.