SNOW and freezing temperatures have battered Oxfordshire this winter as the county was caught up in 'the beast from the east'.

But if we thought we've had it bad, our winter is nothing compared to conditions in Oxford's twin city of Perm, Russia, where hopes of a spring thaw have been dashed by -20C temperatures.

Vadim Skovorodin, of Business Class, has sent the Oxford Mail this video showing what daily life is like in the country where the beast was born. 

The city is experiencing its coldest start to spring ever which is causing disruption to residents.

Mr Skovorodin explains the Kama river is frozen over, allowing people to walk up to the city's famous 'happiness is not far off' sign. 

Residents are still firmly wrapped up in their winter-wear although newly-arrived students from Asia and Africa haven't quite cracked the dress-code yet, according to Mr Skovorodin. 

And the local football team, Amkar, have been forced to play in another city because the staidum is too cold to play football. 

Despite all this he says there has not been 'real cold' weather this year.