The bay prefers not to get really cold but the sage is fully hardy and would be ok outside in a pot or in the ground
.
however they appear to be in terracotta pots and unless they are frost resistant ones the pots will crumble if we get a hard frost.

personally I'd keep them in a cool conservatory/porch until the spring then I'd put them outside.

I lost both my bays in the winter of 2010/11. They had been ok for 10 yrs on the patio.

I

Thanks for taking the time to reply Seaburngirl. The advice is much appreciated. I too lost a lovely bay tree in that harsh winter you mentioned so i didn't want to take the risk this time round.

Thanks again, John