Up to 100 vehicles were stranded in heavy snow on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, southwest England yesterday as blizzards closed a major road.

Devon and Cornwall police said they had declared a major incident and urged drivers to stay with their vehicles until help arrived.

The vehicles, including coaches, were stuck on the A30 between Kennards House and Bodmin.

Police estimated around 500 people were trapped in the jam, but said there were no reports of serious injuries or fatalities.

Mike Collenzo, manager of the nearby Jamaica Inn, said he had filled 17 of his rooms with drivers who had abandoned their cars for the night.

"I've never seen anything like this up here," he told BBC television. "Speaking to a few older locals, they've said it's not since the 60s they've seen weather like this."

Forecasters said the heavy snowfalls blanketing Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and southwest England could turn to ice overnight.

Blizzards and deep snow disrupted transport across many parts of Britain yesterday, shutting schools in Wales and bringing power cuts to northern Scotland.

The Meteorological Office urged drivers and pedestrians to take extra care this morning as slushy snow freezes, creating treacherous conditions on pavements and roads.