Madrid - The Spanish army helped to rescue people stuck in more than 400 vehicles during snowstorms overnight and Monday morning in the north of the country, military and police sources said.

Snow up to a metre high blocked road links between Leon and the region of Asturias. Some drivers said they waited for seven hours before roads were opened for their vehicles, or they were given bus transport. Dozens of mountain passes were closed to traffic.

On the holiday island of Majorca, the Sierra de la Tramuntana mountains were covered with snow. (dpa)