The head of the European Commission has called for a special summit of EU government leaders to deal with the continuing refugee crisis.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said the meeting was needed because the regular February summit was already slated to focus on the issue of keeping Britain in the EU.

Mr Juncker said he was "rather worried that we won't have enough time to tackle the refugee question in sufficient depth", adding he would ask for an extra summit.

Migrants making their way to Western Europe are currently facing sub-freezing temperatures and snow, but the weather is not deterring them from continuing on their journeys.

Liene Veide, a spokeswoman for the UN refugee agency, said around 2,000 migrants continue to cross from Macedonia into Serbia daily, even with temperatures plunging to a low of minus 19C.

She said many arrive without clothing or boots appropriate for the winter weather, and that some have pneumonia, fever or other illnesses. Still, she said most refuse hospital treatment and insist on pressing on with their journeys.