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In pictures: 'Cold snap' and 'FA Cup heroes'

News imageMartin Cook Two swans, one on a grass riverbank and one in the water, as the sun rises. The ground is very frosty and the water partially frozen. The sky is orange and Salisbury Cathedral can be seen in the background, its spire reflecting in the water. Martin Cook
Temperatures across the region dropped sharply over the week, including in Salisbury where this shot was taken

With the festive period behind us and the mercury plummeting, it could have proven a rather bleak week for the West Country.

Instead, we were treated to dazzling displays of winter sun, community groups showing off their hard work and our wildlife making the best of the conditions.

Here is a selection of some of the best pictures from around the area this week.

News imageGetty Images Weston-super-Mare FC fans cheer their team on from the stands at Blundell Park during the FA Cup tie with Grimsby Town. In the front is a young man with a grey hoodie over which he is wearing a yellow and blue striped Weston top. Some fans are holding small versions of the FA CupGetty Images

Cup heroics: More than 1,000 Weston-super-Mare fans made the long trip to Grimsby to see if their side could pull off an upset in the FA Cup. They fought hard and shocked their hosts twice but eventually lost a close game 3-2.

News imageNoah's Ark Zoo Farm A large black Andean bear plays with and nibbles a recycled Christmas tree, which has been propped up the branches of a stripped-back tree. The bear has its tongue out and is standing on a branch. The fence of its enclosure can be seen in the background, along with lots of bare trees. Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

Bear necessities: Households across the West Country left their Christmas trees on the doorstep to be collected - but not all went to waste. Bears at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in North Somerset were delighted this week with a delivery of the recycled plants.

News imageBowood Estate A small group of smiling people, all wearing winter coats, smile at the camera besides a patch of dug-up earth. Two of the people are holding garden spades, and one person is holding what appears to be a small evergreen shrub or tree. An area of woodland can be seen in the background, as well as two trucks. Bowood Estate

Tree-mendous: Volunteers came together to plant 300 Norway Spruce trees at Bowood on Wednesday, as part of the estate's Annual Tree Planting Day. Each sapling was planted within a carefully selected area and protected with fencing or guards for the best possible chance of survival. This winter, there have been 3,500 trees planted at Bowood.

News imageAlison Pflug A plump robin looks directly at the camera. It has white and brown feathers, with a bright orange plumage on its chest. There is a thin layer of snow on the grass behind it. Alison Pflug

Braving the cold: This robin was spotted during the week at Cannop Ponds near Cinderford, Gloucestershire, as temperatures dropped dramatically across the region.

News imageReuters A large dark grey plane with US Air Force written on it is seen sitting on the tarmac at a small airport. Another plane of a similar size and colour is parked next to it, mostly out of shot. A number of houses can be seen in the background, as well as trees and a large water tower. Reuters

Taking flight: A number of US Air Force aircraft, like these Globemaster III planes, were seen landing at at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire - as well as other bases across the country - in the days following Donald Trump's attack on Venezuela.

News imageFluffyclouds A blue sky with dramatic blue and orange clouds sits above the Avon Gorge. The trees and hedges are very sparse, with a little green visible among the branches and rocks. There is almost a purple light on the branches. The river, at very low tide, can be seen running through the gorge. Fluffyclouds

A quiet moment: Weather watcher Fluffyclouds submitted this picture of the Avon Gorge on a wintry afternoon.

News imageDave Berrill A postbox topper, consisting of green wool 'grass' with a number of black and white sheep figures scattered across it. There is a plastic pipe between two crocheted standing stones, and in it are three sheep figures apparently being picked up by a grey crocheted flying saucer. The postbox is in front of the village's post office, a red brick building with bunting across it. Dave Berrill

UFO: This striking postbox topper, showing crocheted sheep being beamed up into a flying saucer between two standing stones, was spotted in the village of Avebury, Wiltshire - known for its ancient stone circle.

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