This spectacular ice sculpture is nature’s own barometer as temperatures dropped to the lowest in decades.

Icicles up to 8ft long have formed beneath a bridge at Wordsley’s Ashwood Marina where boaters have braved freezing temperatures of -10C (13F) over the past few days.

See also: Icy Midlands – your pictures.

Boats temporarily moored at the site in Ashwood Lower Lane are frozen in the water and may have to wait more than a week for the ice to melt before they can move on.

Permanent residents docked at the marina have also been keeping their burners well stocked to ensure they keep warm during the winter chill. The icy formations are a stunning testament to the conditions.

Terry Glover, aged 64, who has lived on his narrowboat The Sarpeidon since 1981 said: “Around 13 years ago it got down to -21C here on the marina. This time out it may be cold but not the worst we’ve known.”

Clive Grosvenor who runs Grosvenor Marsh Narrowboats at the marina which is part of the Staffordshire Worcester canal said no boats would be allowed to leave the marina until the water was back to normal.

Click here for a seven-day forecast.