Snow and ice hazards continue in Devon

Snow and ice has caused major disruption and a number of accidents in parts of the county

Major snowfall and ice has caused problems in many parts of Devon.

Earlier Devon and Cornwall Police tweeted that Haldon Hill and Telegraph Hill near Exeter were "border-line impassable".

More than 40 schools were closed because of the wintry weather, some opened late while others sent pupils home early.

An 18-year old woman from Paignton had to be rescued from Dartmoor after being trapped in the snow for three hours.

The Highways Agency warned of continued hazardous driving conditions and police have warned motorists in east Devon not to drive unless it was "absolutely necessary."

Police said lorries had been "stacked" at the bottom of Haldon Hill on the A38 and Telegraph Hill on the A380 while gritters and snow ploughs "went to work".

Although traffic had begun to move, its advice was to "avoid if possible".

Devon County Council has said its gritters will once again be out overnight across the main routes in the county.

The authority said road conditions were difficult anywhere east of Honiton - particularly on the A375 Honiton to Sidmouth Road and the A3052 in the Seaton area.

Police dealt with a number of collisions and falling snow in the area, was making driving conditions extremely hazardous.

The Highways Agency also reported difficult conditions in Ilfracombe and Sidmouth.

A public meeting at Bovey Tracey Town Council to look at the future options for care in the Bovey Tracey, Ashburton and Buckfastleigh communities was postponed.

A 42-year-old man died in hospital after his Ford Fiesta collided with another car between Manadon and Marsh Mills in Plymouth during a hailstorm in the city on Monday.

Earlier a spokesman for the Devon county control room said some rural areas were virtually cut off because they were off the main gritting network.

An Environment Agency flood warning remains for the River Clyst, due to rain fall and melting snow.

A yellow warning of widespread ice, valid until 11:00 GMT on Wednesday, was earlier issued by the Met Office.