THE cold snap could be just the trick to bring the pandas closer together at Edinburgh Zoo.

Tian Tian and Yang Guang are due to be brought together later this month to mate for the first time this year, with speculation that the low temperatures could warm up the union.

The pandas have been frolicking in the snow in their separate enclosures at Edinburgh Zoo ahead of March 25, when they are due to be placed together.

A zoo spokesman said the cold weather could be beneficial for the bears, adding: "Pandas love snow actually. They're used to it in the part of China they originate from. You'll also find pandas are more active when it's colder like this. It won't affect the mating process."

Henry Nicholls, author of Way of the Panda, said some experts believe that the colder weather can aid pandas in their mating efforts but this is unproven.

He said: "There are just so many factors that will affect whether a pair of pandas get it on in captivity, that a cold snap is unlikely to be the clincher. Whether the pandas actually fancy each other is probably much more important."

The giant pandas, who arrived in Edinburgh in December 2011, were introduced to each other on five separate occasions but no mating took place last year.