For the first time in many years, large sheets of ice formed on the River Ouse.

Several thin sheets spread across the river, following a night of plummeting temperatures.

A spokeswoman for YorkBoat, which operates on the river, said: “It probably happened about ten years ago, I think 2000 or 2001 the previous owners took the boat up the Ouse to break the ice.”

She said their operations would not be affected, but said: “We saw a few small rowers unable to get their oars in the water through the ice this morning.”