It's time to wrap up warm and stay indoors by the fire if you don't like the cold ...or maybe not.

At many pubs and hotels across the Dales – as well as in some back gardens – it will be time to turn up the heat and stay outdoors.

More and more patio heaters are being sold, partly due to the smoking ban but also due to people wanting to stay outdoors all year round.

I've always thought it was a futile exercise, trying to heat up cold air outdoors.

It seems like literally burning money to me.

It's hard enough trying to keep a house warm, but struggling to keep your garden at a tropical temperature as well is ludicrous.

And there's also the green issue – we're told to turn down the central heating a degree, clad our lofts and walls with insulation and try to install double glazing.

It goes against everything to then blast hot air straight into the atmosphere.

That's why one DIY giant has stopped selling them and some green campaigners are calling on people to boycott premises which use them.

Winster residents were learning how to become a little bit greener last weekend and were given top tips on subjects such as energy saving and insulation. Perhaps we should take their lead and try to do our bit as well.

So if you're going to sit outside in Britain, expect it to be cold! We don't live in a hot climate – although ironically if we carry on using these heaters it could mean Matlock becomes more like the Med.

Perhaps we should try donning an extra layer if this weekend's temperature take the plunge... and if you have to go outdoors, don't expect tropical conditions!