The cost of the coldest Shropshire winter in 114 years was a staggering £37 million, it was revealed today.

And the true figure may actually be higher because there are many hidden costs to the county which cannot be accurately calculated.

A Shropshire Star survey revealed that businesses, householders, providers of public services, restaurants, hauliers and hospitals were among the biggest losers.

Their costs went through the roof as the county ground to a halt during three weeks of freezing temperatures in December.

High Street shops lost about £10 million as people shunned the pre-Christmas rush and post-new year sales because it was too cold.

Other companies also suffered as transport ground to a halt and people were unable to place orders.

The month was marred by heavy snowfall and travel disruption across much of the country and according to the Central England Temperature, which is used as a benchmark, the average temperature in December was -0.6C (30F) – the lowest since 1890.

Weather historian Philip Eden believes December was the coldest individual calendar month since February 1986.

Justine Vaughan, a human resources consultant from Shrewsbury-based Triangle HR, said businesses suffered a double whammy as they lost orders and the support of their staff.

She said: “We received a very high volume of calls from employers who were concerned that staff stayed at home, when they could have been at work.

“Although there were some genuine cases, there were a lot of people who looked out of the window and decided not to bother going to work.

“There was also a large number of disciplinary actions as employers refused to accept that some people could not have got to work.”

There were other ill effects caused by the weather. During one week in December, of the 155 scheduled driving tests at Shrewsbury, Telford, Whitchurch and Ludlow driving centres, only four went ahead.