Snow causes severe delays in Devon and Cornwall

A fallen tree on the A380 at Ashcombe Cross blocked the road

Heavy snowfall in parts of Devon and Cornwall has resulted in widespread travel disruption, with drivers reporting being stuck for hours.

Police advised drivers to consider whether or not their journeys were "absolutely necessary" and if not to "wait until the current weather moves through".

Shortly after 20:00 GMT National Highways said the A380 had reopened and traffic on the A38 was moving slowly with gritters, tractors and recovery units operating.

Stuart Irons, incident liaison officer, said: "We are asking drivers to be patient, we do appreciate there are people still stranded, but we are working round the clock to try and get it cleared."

A yellow warning of snow covered a wide area of the South West

A yellow warning of snow over the South West continues until 23:59.

The Met Office has also issued warnings for ice and snow that covers most of Cornwall from 00:15 to 11:00 on Thursday.

There is also an ice warning in place for most of Devon and southern England from 00:15 until 10:30 on Thursday.

A joint statement from Devon and Cornwall Police and Devon County Council Highways just before 22:00 on Wednesday said: "We are aware of some motorists being stationary for long periods of time and partners have been working to keep people safe and also get traffic moving as soon as possible.

"The majority of traffic is now moving. Efforts to clear the routes had been hampered by fallen trees and broken down vehicles.

"Ploughs have been fitted to gritters and will work around the clock tonight and into tomorrow morning."

It added: "Road surface temperatures are reducing further tonight, with some areas almost reaching -5C, and the prolonged freeze this evening and into tomorrow morning will leave icy patches.

"Motorists are reminded to check the Met Office for warnings and carefully consider travel plans."

Tractors with snowploughs were deployed on the A38

Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, Michael said he had been stuck in "standstill traffic" on the A38 for close to four hours.

He said: "We left home at Newton St Cyres at 14:00 heading for Dartmouth for one of my wife's Christmas presents.

"We drove for just under an hour when the traffic came to a standstill in very heavy snow.

"We took the decision to turn around, got back onto the A380 heading north and I think we've moved 100 yards in three-and-a-half hours."

A yellow warning of snow over a wider area of the South West is in place until 23:59

The weather conditions led to the closure of roads and delays across the region

Another listener Jackie said she had been stuck for four-and-a-half hours on the "incline to Telegraph Hill".

She said: "We have our little dog, so we've had to get snow to melt it in her dog bowl so she gets some water - it's lucky we had some dog food with us so she's been fed."

Delivery driver Gareth, also stuck on the A380 going up Telegraph Hill, said: "Everyone seems to be alright, every now and then there's people walking past me to go and get supplies from the garage.

"I collared a young lad as he was walking past and said if you're going to the garage can you get me a few bits, and he did so.

"I've now just got to sit here and wait; it is what it is."

Snow settled on Dartmoor

Spencer told BBC Radio Cornwall "nothing had moved for more than two hours" near the Jamaica Inn

Earlier more than 2,500 homes were without power across the TR5, TQ12 and TQ13 areas of Cornwall.

Motorists in Cornwall reported being stuck in lengthy queues of "more than two hours" on the A30 near the Jamaica Inn.

Spencer told BBC Radio Cornwall: "I heard there was a lorry stuck in a lane but clearly there's more than that going on.

"I can see a sea of headlights on the opposite carriageway, they're occasionally releasing little batches of cars from that side."

At about 19:20 one driver reported a gritter "moving at a slow pace through the area" with a police escort.

Stansfield Academy, Princetown Community Primary School and Hennock Primary School were closed on Wednesday.

St Wenn School in Cornwall was also closed because there was no hot water or heating.

On Thursday, Cornwall College St Austell and Duchy College Stoke Climsland will be closed, while other schools are starting later than normal.

In Devon, Christow Primary School, Hennock Community Primary School, Ilsington Church of England Primary School, Moretonhampstead Primary School, Princetown Community Primary School, The Promise School and Widecombe-in-the-Moor Primary School will be closed on Thursday while others have delayed opening.

Roads around Haytor on Dartmoor were covered in snow

Snow fell in Princetown, on Dartmoor, with predictions of as much as 10cm (4in) on Exmoor and Dartmoor.

Some villagers and visitors in the area decided to embrace the winter weather.

One woman from Plymouth said: "We've got some sledges, so we're gonna stay here for a little bit and let the kids have some fun in the snow.

"Apparently it's snowing in Plymouth now, but it wasn't when we left so that's why we've come out and given the kids a snow day."

Dartmoor National Park closed visitor centres due to the conditions

Train services between Liskeard and Looe in Cornwall were cancelled due to flooding, GWR announced.

It said the line had been closed and disruption was expected until the end of the day.

Dartmoor National Park closed its visitor centres because of hazardous road conditions created by snow and ice.

Analysis by David Braine, BBC South West senior broadcast meteorologist

Snow is notoriously difficult to predict and often the difference of 0.5 of a degree means sleet and rain... or snow.

Whilst most south coast locations have had rain and temperatures have held up because of the relative warmth of the sea, inland the influence of that weakens and sleet and snow has fallen.

Temperatures decrease the higher up you live, so the greatest risk of snowfall this evening is on high ground above 150m (450ft).

Once this area of rain/sleet and snow clears later on Wednesday night the temperatures will plummet allowing a widespread frost and mostly fine but icy conditions for Thursday morning.

There is also a chance of a few wintry showers affecting western Cornwall on Thursday morning.

Snow covered trees in Princetown on Dartmoor

Drivers were warned to take care in the snow

Adrian Leisk, from road safety partnership Vision Zero, said drivers should slow down in icy conditions.

He said: "If you start to skid, remove the cause of it.

"So if that's because you are accelerating, then lift off.

"If it's because you're braking, lift off the braking."

Mr Leisk said: "Never ever drive into standing water if you can't see the bottom.

"If you get stuck, you risk the safety of not only yourself, but also the emergency services."