While most people have been wrapping up against the winter weather, adventurer Paul Bird got a taste of life in the deep freeze at Dowsons Dairy.
The brave 46-year-old shared a 30ft. by 40ft. freezer with thousands of litres of Mrs Dowsons ice cream at Longsight Road, Clayton-le-Dale.
The stunt was designed to simulate the freezing temperatures he will encounter on the Yukon Arctic Ultra, a non-stop 320-mile race, which takes place over the frozen conditions of Yukon in Canada.
Super-fit Paul, from Chester, is one of a group of six adventurers from across the North West who are taking part in the marathon.
This year's trek will begin on Saturday and competitors will have to face conditions as low as -40 ºC and unpredictable weather, which can result in sudden snow storms – reducing visibility to nil.
Competitors have eight days to complete the race by using cross country skies, a mountain bike or by travelling on foot.
Speaking about the gruelling challenge, he said: "The Dowsons agreed to let me spend the night in their main freezer to help prepare for what will be the challenge-of-a-lifetime.
"I hope that by taking this drastic measure, it will help me acclimatise to the arctic weather conditions facing me in Canada."
The team is hoping to make as much money as possible for research into treatment for EB, epidermolysis bullosa – a genetic condition that causes skin blistering.