Heavy snowfall has isolated the town of Gaevle in central Sweden.

Over one meter of snow fell overnight, cutting off all rail and road links to the coastal town of some seventy-thousand inhabitants.

The Swedish army has sent helicopters and troop carriers to rescue people trapped by the snow.

Meanwhile, unusually cold weather has continued over central and eastern Europe.

The Romanian authorities say fifteen people died in traffic accidents on icy roads over the weekend.

There are also reports of homeless people freezing to death in Poland.