Winter Weather Strikes Across Western Europe

Heavy snowfall has caused major travel delays across western Europe, with the winter cold snap leading to flight cancellations in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Some 40% of flights have been cancelled at Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports in Paris, while Germany's largest airport, in Frankfurt, has cancelled 180 flights.

More than five inches of snow also fell overnight in Munich, where another 200 flights were cancelled.

Long delays were expected for passengers due to fly out of both Munich and Frankfurt.

In northern Germany, icy roads outside Berlin caused a stretch of a major highway to be closed down for the Monday morning commute.

The high-speed train that runs from Paris to Germany through Brussels is also experiencing long delays.

Flights into Amsterdam have also been disrupted due to the cold snap.

In an update on its website, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines said: "Because of snowfall in Amsterdam some of our flights will be delayed or cancelled."

"Also, de-icing our aircraft may delay departures. We are doing our very best to help you continue your journey as soon as possible," it added.

Eurostar services from France and Belgium to London have also been disrupted.

The disruption across Europe came as freezing temperatures and icy conditions create major delays in Britain.

As much as 20cm (eight inches) of snow is expected across Scotland and northern England on Monday.

At Heathrow Airport, some services were cancelled for a fourth day.