The police, the army and emergency services were called in to rescue some 200 people trapped in their cars on roads in south-west Britain after heavy overnight snowstorms, the authorities said.

Heavy snowfalls hit the Devon and Somerset region in south-west England late Thursday, leading cars getting stuck in sudden heavy snowfalls on the A38 dual carriageway near the city of Exeter.

Reporters said cars were seen "skidding all over the place" and initially it had been difficult for rescue teams to approach the scene.

But eventually some 200 people were rescued from their vehicles and given shelter in town halls and in buildings on a race course, where they were cared for with "lots of tea and toast."

The heavy snowfalls hit the cities of Bristol and Bath. Bristol airport was closed to all flights. Luton airport north of London also said flights were temporarily suspended while the snow was being removed.

Fresh snowfalls have also been predicted for London and the south-east of England.