Residents of the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, have been queuing for bottled gas since supplies from Russia failed.

Strong winds and heavy snows brought down power lines, adding to the misery of the big freeze.

The price of firewood has soared in the city, residents say.

Pensioners have been seen queuing for heavy gas cylinders, then struggling to get them home.

The loss of Russian supplies after explosions damaged the pipeline could hardly have come at a worse time.

There is also concern in the ex-Soviet state that a different kind of frost in relations with Moscow may make itself felt.