Two of the largest lakes in Cumbria - Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite - have almost frozen over Britain is bracing itself for icy blasts as the freezing weather looks set to continue over the weekend.The forecast came as the government stepped in to conserve road-gritting stocks due to dwindling salt supplies. The Transport Secretary, Lord Adonis, said local authorities had agreed to cut salt use by 25%. The Conservatives have said that the government's move is "an admission of utter failure" and plans should have been made earlier. As temperatures remained at sub-zero levels, at least 24 people are believed to have died since before Christmas in weather-related incidents. The latest are two brothers who died in hospital in Leicester after falling through the ice at Watermead Country Park. FROZEN BRITAIN See an enlarged version Special report: Frozen Britain Coldest place residents 'coping' Police say members of the public used ropes in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue the brothers.[Read more...]