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According to research carried out by universities in the UK and Russia, Britain is set to be plunged into a 'mini ice age' by 2030.

It would see temperatures drop across the country with rivers freezing over and snow becoming a much more familiar sight.

We could be back skating on the Thames in a little over a decade.

Scientists used a mathematical model of the Sun to arrive at their prediction, judging that changes in its magnetic activity would create a knock-on effect on the Earth's temperature.

(Image: Getty)

They believe that magnetic waves from the sun will begin decreasing in 2021 and last for 33 years. Historically, low magnetic activity from the Sun has coincided with cold periods on Earth.

Valentina Zharkova, a maths professor at Northumbria University built on previous work done in Moscow to make the predictions.

Although she says that the mathematical prediction can't be used as total proof, she does suggest a 97% accuracy level for her model which lines up with previous ice ages, including the Maunder Minimum period from 1645 to 1715, when Londoners first skated across the Thames.

(Image: Getty) (Image: Getty)

However, this time around, the planet is facing an increased warming trend because of climate change that could offset the difference.

"I hope global warning will be overridden by this effect, giving humankind and the Earth 30 years to sort out our pollution," she told Sky News .

However, other climate experts have taken issue with the idea that climate change is likely to be cancelled out.

And the study warns against stopping efforts to fight climate change, just because the temperature may drop.

"Compared to the changes in the proper ice ages, the so-called Little Ice Age (LIA) is a very short-lived and puny climate and social perturbation," explains the study.