A strong winter storm pounding north-east America with stiff winds and punishing cold has dumped nearly two feet of snow in parts of Massachusetts today.

The massive weekend snowstorm that hit parts of north-east America and Canada was blamed for at least 18 deaths.

A freak October storm knocked out power to more than 3.1 million homes and businesses across north-east America, with close to 2ft of snow falling in some areas.

A winter storm made travel torturous in north-east America, dropping a thick layer of snow that stranded thousands of airline, train and bus passengers and made motorists think twice about hitting post-Christmas sales.