The big freeze gripping the UK could last until almost the end of April, weather forecasters predicted.

Temperatures are unlikely to recover to normal averages for the time of year until the latter part of next month, the Met Office suggested through its 30-day forecast.

Sub-zero temperatures look set to bring misery to thousands of people for the rest of the week and throughout Easter weekend as the dangerous wintry weather shows no immediate signs of abating.

Thousands of people in western Scotland face a sixth day without power today after being cut off last week, and many transport routes across the UK remain impassable because of deep snow drifts.

More than 3,000 people in Argyll in Scotland and the Isle of Arran were without power after ice and snow damaged pylons, damaging the electricity network.

Farmers have been left counting the cost of the blizzard conditions, with many having to rescue stranded livestock at the height of the lambing season.

An RAF Chinook helicopter was called in yesterday to help as part of an emergency operation in Northern Ireland as farms and families were cut off by huge snow drifts.

The severe weather has also been blamed for the deaths of a number of birds, including puffins, razorbills and guillemots, which have washed up on Britain's beaches.

The RSPB Scotland said it had received reports in Aberdeenshire, Angus and Northumberland.

The Met Office has issued a cold weather alert for much of England, with a 100% probability of severe cold weather and icy conditions until Friday.

Its outlook for Sunday to April 9 predicts cold, dry weather, with a few light snow flurries and widespread frost and icy patches overnight.

And the Met Office predicts temperatures are unlikely to recover to nearer normal values until the latter part of April.

Gemma Plumb, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said that while there was no forecast for more big snow falls, it would remain very cold for the rest of the week, with temperatures as low as minus 6C (21.2F) overnight and ranging from 4C to 8C (39F to 46.4F) in the day time.

"By the time we get to April some places could be 4C or 5C below the average for the month," she said.

"There will be some sunny spells around at times, and a few light snow flurries around at times, especially in the east.

"High pressure will start to build across the UK, so there will be fewer snow flurries and more in the way of dry weather over Easter weekend, but it will remain very cold.

"Sunny spells might begin to thaw the snow, but winds from the East could cause more drifts. There are no real signs of warmer weather moving in at this time."

Meanwhile, engineers have managed to provide power to 150 more homes in south west Scotland, with 1,500 remaining in darkness almost a week after major damage was caused by severe weather.

Scottish and Southern Energy said that the remaining 800 homes in Kintyre, Argyll and 700 on the Isle of Arran without electricity should have it restored by tomorrow evening, six nights after snow damaged large sections of the electricity network.

The areas suffered severe weather on Friday, which cut the power to around 18,000 properties.

Two transmission pylons were toppled by heavy sheets of ice and snow, SSE said.

Locals in Campbeltown said that in many cases community spirit had got people through the worst of the weather and blackout.

The town's Coop store remained open when its tills lost power on Friday and customers unable to access any cash were able to buy groceries on "IOUs", said local councillor John Semple, whose own home in Kilkerran Park is still without power.

Mr Semple, in charge of the environment and infrastructure at Argyll and Bute Council, said: "What's been great to see is the way that our employees have got right behind things.

"People who are normally answering phones in call centres are out chapping on doors making sure people are ok.

"It's been a really uplifting story to come out of this.

"My own part of town doesn't have power yet and I'm really looking forward to a hot shower."

He added: "I was born in 1963 which is the date people quote as the last biggest snowstorm in Kintyre, but I don't think even that compares to what we've had in terms of the amount of damage and the impact on the community."

Johanna Duncan, 28, said the power was reconnected to her Campbeltown home last night at around 7pm.

She said: "It's ok for us adults but I've got a two-year-old and we had to move out to her granny's house because she has an old gas fire.

"Luckily she was there to help us otherwise we would have been stuck in the house in the cold."

In a statement SSE said: "Providing no further significant damage to the network is found, customers who lost their supply as a result of the recent severe weather event should have electricity restored by the end of Thursday night."

The utility company also said that temporary power supplies had been augmented with the addition of four more large generation units and up to 50 small units en route. Four helicopters are in use today with two removing fallen wooden pylon poles.

Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown said the scale of the damage was considerable and "unprecedented". He told BBC Radio Scotland: "These are things they haven't seen before, certainly not for a generation, but that work is ongoing and they expect to have people back on supply by the weekend, that's permanent supply, on the grid."

Meanwhile yellow "be aware" snow warnings have been issued by the Met Office for central and eastern parts of the country.

Sean Penston, weather forecaster for MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said that wintry conditions were expected to continue today with winds reaching up to 17mph in Argyll where hundreds of engineers are carrying out repair work to power supplies.

"Sleet and snow showers will blow in from the east reaching parts of the west and south west but these will ease in more western areas heading into tonight. Showers will become less frequent in eastern parts," he said.

Strathclyde Fire & Rescue issued a warning to motorists after two cars collided on the A76 near Mauchline in East Ayrshire at 6pm yesterday. One man was cut free from his vehicle by firefighters and both drivers were taken to Crosshouse Hospital by ambulance.

A spokesperson for Strathclyde Fire & Rescue said: "While we cannot comment on the specific circumstances surrounding this incident, the recent weather makes conditions difficult for all road users. Snow and ice make conditions on our roads extremely hazardous and we urge all drivers to take extra care."

SSE has said that anyone struggling with the conditions in Kintyre and on Arran should call 0800 300 999.