The recent unpredictable weather may have been a shock to the system for most Britons but for farmers fluctuating temperatures is far more worrying - it could impact on their livelihood.

Farmers need seasonably appropriate temperatures to ensue proper crop growth but December's mild weather followed by January's cold snap has been sending confusing signals to the natural world and impacting on the growth cycles of plants.

In December temperatures averaged almost eight degrees whereas on Tuesday night temperatures were as low as -12 degrees.

Scientists at the John Innes Centre, a centre for research and training in plant and microbial science in Norfolk, are now looking at growing plants in different conditions to see if they can make them less susceptible to damage from late frosts but for now farmers remain reliant on the elements.

ITV News Science Correspondent Alok Jha reports: