WITH some weather forecasts predicting snow as early as next month it is becoming more and more obvious that winter is coming.

There are only two weeks left of Daylight Saving Time and already the evenings are getting bleaker and most of us are now getting ready for work wrapped in a blanket with the lights on.

I for one have already dusted off my dressing gown ready for those chilly October mornings and packed my car with all the essentials to survive winter – ice-scraper, blanket, driving gloves and flask.

Bring on the cold weather!

Here are five things you need to know today

1. NHS staff are taking part in a national strike over pay for the first time in 30 years. Cheltenham General Hospital, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Stroud Maternity Unit are all affected but contingency plans are in place to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum. The strike is expected to last until 11.30am. To find out more click here.

2. The South African athlete Oscar Pistorius returns to court today for sentencing after being convicted of killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

3. The Eurostar is going on sale - The Government is seeking buyers for its 40 per cent stake in the cross-Channel passenger train to help boost public finances.

4. As the Ebola crisis in the US worsens call handlers on the NHS non-emergency 111 phone line have been given guidance to help identify possible Ebola sufferers.

5. And finally for all you football fans England is one step closer to Euro 2016 after beating Estonia 1-0 in Tallinn.