Newlyweds among drivers stranded at school overnight after snow closes 64 miles of A30

A newlywed couple were among more than 80 people forced to spend the night at a school after heavy snow shut a 64-mile stretch of a major road in south west England.

The A30 was hit by "significant snow" overnight, Devon and Cornwall Police said, with conditions "changing rapidly from passable to impossible". Around 64 miles of road between the M5 at Exeter and the A38 at Bodmin were shut as a result while officers and Highways England cleared the route.

Among those stranded were newlyweds John and Sara Lund, who were making their way from their Bristol wedding to a hotel in Newquay when the road became impassable.

They were forced to join others at a rest centre at Okehampton College at the north side of Dartmoor.

Mr Lund said "The lovely people of Devon County Council have looked after us very well.

"I didn't imagine there would be snow in March to be perfectly honest with you, but certainly didn't expect to spend our first night in a school college."

Commuters across the country have been warned of potential snow and ice hazards on Monday as a wintry snap dubbed the "mini beast from the east" continues to cause disruption.

Some schools are expected to be closed, while train services are also said to be affected in places.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of ice for England and Wales that will remain in place until 10am and further snow is expected across parts of the south-west of England, with a few light snow showers for other southern counties for a time.

A separate yellow ice warning has been issued for parts of southern and eastern Scotland until 10am.

The A30 was hit by "significant snow" overnight, Devon and Cornwall Police said, tweeting: "#A30 #DevonandCornwall closed, significant snow that highways are working to clear, if you're already on it drive with caution as conditions are variable changing rapidly from passable to impossible, if not on it DELAY YOUR JOURNEY until midmorning at the earliest".

A total of 82 people stuck on the A30 were moved to a rest centre at Okehampton College at the north side of Dartmoor.

Richard White, volunteer rest centre manager, said spirits were high among the residents despite their dramatic evening.

He said: "We first of all provide them with something hot to drink and we've got blankets, duvets.

"We make sure people get a good night's sleep, we feed them in the morning and weather-permitting, we prepare them to get back in their cars and on their way.

"Police want everybody off the roads to give them the opportunity to clear the roads with the snow ploughs and the gritters in time for the morning."