Eurostar has now cancelled all services until Sunday at the earliest, following the breakdown of several trains in the Channel Tunnel.

Both the operator and Eurotunnel have been facing severe criticism for the way passengers stranded on four trains were dealt with. Some 2000 passengers spent up to six hours in the Tunnel after their trains had become stalled inside.

It's thought the faults were triggered by the change of temperature when the trains passed from freezing conditions in northern France to the comparatively warm interior of the Tunnel.

One passenger told the BBC that after several hours those on board his train organised their own evacuation, and made their way via the central service tunnel to a Eurotunnel shuttle which took them back to Calais.

Power on board at least some of the trains failed completely, leaving the passengers in darkness.

Disruption has also been occurring in northern France, where many trains have been delayed by the bad weather. Both TGV and Thalys services have been among those affected, and problems were reported as far south as Paris, where some RER services have been cancelled.

Eurostar said it would issue another bulletin about the resumption of services at 16.00 today.